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. The pool, which underwent a $14-million-plus rehabilitation project, has been experiencing issues with algae growth and peeling paint.

Trump’s Claims

Trump stated that his predecessors had allowed the pool to become algae-stained and that he had planned to line it with ‘American flag blue’ to better reflect the Washington Monument. However, after the new pool was unveiled, its blue tinge quickly turned green. Workers treated the pool with chemicals to kill the algae, but the painted blue lining on the bottom began to peel.

Trump posted on his social media site, ‘We’ve had some real problems with vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool… Just like three days ago, they destroyed the grass outside of the Pool, they’ve also done everything possible to hurt the inside surface that was just installed.’ He offered no details to substantiate his claim.

Arrests and Investigation

One man, David Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, was arrested and detained for five hours before being released. Hearn, a former Olympic canoe racer, claimed he had stopped by the pool to examine the peeling new coating and briefly touched a chunk that was still attached to the side of the pool.

Agencies responsible for law enforcement and upkeep on the National Mall, including the U.S. Park Police, National Park Service, and Interior Department, did not respond to requests for comment. Trump later acknowledged that the Reflecting Pool will need to be repaired again to restore it to its original state.

Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.