President Donald Trump on Saturday said federal authorities had made “multiple arrests” for allegedly vandalizing the newly refurbished Reflecting Pool an announcement that came as he struggled to explain why the $14‑million restoration project he championed for America’s 250th anniversary has gone visibly wrong.
Trump had promised to transform the algae‑stained pool into a shimmering “American flag blue” surface that would better reflect the Washington Monument. But within days of its unveiling, the water turned green again. Workers treated the pool with chemicals to kill the algae, only for the blue lining at the bottom to begin peeling away.
On Friday night, Trump took to social media, claiming without evidence that vandals had damaged both the grass surrounding the pool and the newly installed interior surface. “They’ve done everything possible to hurt the inside surface that was just installed,” he wrote, offering no details or proof.
Agencies responsible for the National Mall including the US Park Police and National Park Service did not respond to requests for comment. By Saturday, Trump said Park Police had arrested “multiple individuals,” later correcting a misspelling of “Pool” in his post. “These are very serious crimes,” he wrote. “Years in jail!”
One of those arrested was David Hearn, a 67‑year‑old Maryland resident and former Olympic canoe racer. Hearn told the Associated Press he stopped at the pool during a 64‑mile bike ride to inspect the peeling surface. He said he briefly touched a loose piece of the coating before a park worker told him to stop and moments later, he was detained by National Guard troops and Park Police.
“I’m a curious citizen,” Hearn said. “I reached down to see what it felt like. It was very rubbery.” He said he was held for five hours before being released Friday night and now faces a court appearance next month.
The Washington Post first reported Hearn’s arrest. He says he is seeking legal representation.
As the Reflecting Pool’s costly makeover continues to draw scrutiny, Trump’s claims of vandalism and the arrests that followed have only deepened questions about what went wrong with the high‑profile project.
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