President Donald Trump has alleged that vandalism led to the deterioration of the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. following a recent renovation. The paint on the pool’s surface is peeling, and Trump claims that someone intentionally damaged it.
Renovation and Vandalism Claims
The Reflecting Pool was renovated at a cost of over $14 million in preparation for the America 250 celebrations. However, the pool was soon beset by an algae bloom, which returned the water to its original greenish color. Federal workers treated the pool with chemicals to kill the algae, but chunks of the blue paint have now come off, exposing the rocky bottom.
Trump posted on his social media site, claiming that there had been ‘real problems with vandalism’ at the Reflecting Pool. He stated that someone had destroyed the grass outside the pool and had also damaged the inside surface. However, Trump provided no details to substantiate his claim.
The U.S. Park Police, National Park Service, and Interior Department, which are responsible for law enforcement and upkeep on the National Mall, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Washington Post reported that a person was arrested on Friday for peeling paint from the pool, but this does not explain the presence of algae in the water or the loose blue paint.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
