President Donald Trump has announced that federal authorities have made multiple arrests of individuals he claims were vandalizing the Reflecting Pool in Washington D.C.

Reflecting Pool Rehabilitation Project

The Reflecting Pool, which underwent a $14-million-plus rehabilitation project, has been experiencing issues with algae growth and peeling paint. Trump claimed that his predecessors had let the pool turn an algae-stained green and that he had lined it with ‘American flag blue’ to better reflect the Washington Monument.

However, after the new pool was unveiled, its blue tinge quickly became a familiar green. Workers treated it with chemicals to kill the algae, but then the painted blue lining on the bottom began to peel. Trump posted on his social media site that ‘We’ve had some real problems with vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool’ and that ‘Park Police have arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nation’s magnificent Reflecting Pool.’

One man, David Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, was arrested and detained by National Guard troops and Park Police for five hours before being released. Hearn, a former Olympic canoe racer, claimed he had stopped by the pool during his 64-mile bike ride to examine the peeling new coating and had briefly touched a chunk that was still attached to the side of the pool.

Investigation and Repairs

Trump acknowledged that the Reflecting Pool will need to be repaired again to restore it to its original state. He met with contractors and announced that they will probably be forced to release and drain much of the water to do the necessary repairs, but will have them done as quickly as possible.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.