President Donald Trump said the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was drained Monday to undergo repairs after vandals damaged the structure [2].
The incident highlights vulnerabilities at one of the most iconic landmarks in Washington, D.C., where a significant breach of the pool's lining required immediate intervention.
Trump said the pool was drained Monday to make repairs [2]. According to the president, vandals used a box-cutter or a similar knife to cut a 350-foot gash through the pool's lining [1]. The damage necessitated the complete removal of water to allow crews to access and fix the breach.
Despite the extent of the damage, the administration expects a quick turnaround for the landmark. Trump said, "It will be refilled and put back into service soon" [3].
The Reflecting Pool is a central feature of the National Mall, often serving as the backdrop for major national events, and protests. The use of a tool to deliberately slice the lining suggests a targeted act of vandalism rather than accidental wear and tear.
Officials have not yet released details regarding suspects or the specific timing of when the damage occurred. The pool will remain empty until the repairs are certified as complete, and the basin is refilled.
“"There was a 350‑foot gash cut through the pool's lining with a 'box‑cutter or a knife of some kind.'"”
The drainage of the Reflecting Pool for repairs following a deliberate act of vandalism underscores the ongoing security and maintenance challenges facing high-profile federal monuments in the U.S. capital.
