The Department of the Interior confirmed Monday that five individuals have been arrested and five others issued federal citations in connection with vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, escalating a political controversy that President Trump has seized upon in recent days.
A department spokesperson told The Hill that a total of 14 police reports have been filed for vandalism, including incidents described in Trump's recent Truth Social posts. The arrests come as the administration faces scrutiny over the pool's maintenance, with renovation costs soaring to $14.7 million amid algae blooms and peeling paint.
In a Monday post, Trump claimed the pool had been given a "300 foot long gash," that chemicals were "illegally placed in the water," and that the surrounding grass was destroyed with "a gigantic 86 47 chemically carved into it." He suggested the numbers were inspired by former FBI Director James Comey, referencing an image Comey shared on social media last year that led to his prosecution for threatening the president.
Trump warned that destruction of federal property carries a 10-year prison sentence, which he said would be "fully enforced." His remarks follow a pattern of blaming vandalism for the pool's ongoing maintenance failures, despite earlier reports of algae and peeling paint.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro echoed the president's tough stance during a Sunday appearance on Fox News's "The Sunday Briefing." She stated that all individuals caught vandalizing the site would be prosecuted, and that more serious charges could be considered if hazardous materials were introduced into the pool.
"If there are more serious products that are put into the Reflecting Pool to create more algae or a bigger problem, then we'll consider more serious charges," Pirro said. "But make no mistake, making D.C. beautiful is a priority. And if you damage, vandalize or do anything to impact something like the Reflecting Pool, you can be prosecuted."
The U.S. Park Police is currently investigating the vandalism reports, according to an administration official. The arrests come amid broader tensions over the management of national monuments, with Pirro's threats of prosecution following a $15 million renovation that has been plagued by algae and peeling paint.
Critics have pointed to the administration's haphazard approach to the reflecting pool, noting that Trump's claims of vandalism may be overstated. The pool's renovation, which was completed last year, has already required additional repairs due to algae blooms and paint failure, raising questions about the effectiveness of the project.
The incident also highlights the political divide over the treatment of national landmarks. While Trump has called for stringent enforcement of vandalism laws, some Democrats have accused him of using the pool as a political prop. The ongoing investigation by the U.S. Park Police is expected to provide more details on the extent of the damage and the identities of those arrested.
