White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt returned from maternity leave to comment on alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, claiming authorities have arrested five people and filed 14 police reports.
Leavitt spoke during a Fox News appearance to discuss the situation surrounding the Reflecting Pool, which underwent a $14.8 million restoration project earlier this year. The pool has been at the center of a political dispute after algae growth and alleged damage occurred following the renovation’s completion.
The Administration’s Claims
The Trump administration has accused critics of sabotaging the restoration work. “It’s unbelievable to see these people, these deranged leftists, in algae costumes with ‘team algae’ on their backs,” Leavitt said during her Fox News interview.
President Trump alleged that “chemicals have been dumped illegally into the water” and claimed the Reflecting Pool sustained damage spanning 300 to 350 feet. “I saw it. They cut it. They cut it very violently,” Trump told reporters on Monday.
Among those arrested was former U.S. Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn, who told NBC News he was detained for five hours on Friday after touching a detached piece of coating at the pool.
Congressional Response
Democratic lawmakers and Washington residents have inspected the National Mall site, with some expressing concerns about the restoration project. Michigan Representative Debbie Dingell said during a CNN appearance that her constituents are “outraged” by the algae growth.
Trump visited the location on Sunday via Marine One and stated the pool would likely need to be drained again. He warned of federal penalties, including a potential 10-year prison sentence, for destruction of the site.
