Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Drained After Alleged Vandalism

President Donald Trump has said that most of the water in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was the target of ‘vandalism’, resulting in the pool being drained. Trump did not provide evidence to support his allegations of vandalism, which he said included someone pouring a corrosive chemical into the pool. The U.S. Park Police, the Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia have not yet commented. According to Trump, several suspected vandals have been arrested. “Many additional people have been arrested in connection with the shameful vandalism at our beautiful Reflecting Pool,” he wrote. Trump announced on 6 June that work had been completed on the pool’s $14.7 million renovation project. Shortly afterwards, workers began pouring hydrogen peroxide into the pool to tackle algae growth that had turned its colour green instead of the intended dark blue. The pool renovation is part of Trump’s larger plan to transform the U.S. capital, which includes demolishing the East Wing of the White House to make room for a new ballroom and constructing a grand arch near Arlington National Cemetery, where the U.S. honours its war heroes and other distinguished American citizens.