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A court document released by the White House revealed that the National Park Service (NPS) plans to drain the reflecting pool again after Independence Day to conduct repairs after it was allegedly vandalized.
In the document, which was filed in federal court on Thursday, NPS Deputy Director for Operations Frank Lands states that on June 9, U.S. Park Police responded to a report of damage to the reflecting pool.
Lands stated that the damage to the pool included caulk over the foam sealant that was cut with a “sharp knife or razor” and “destruction of delaminating surface material.” He also said approximately 70 fence post tops were thrown into the pool.
Lands said NPS plans to drain the reflecting pool to conduct repairs, including “assessing and repairing any damage to the lining,” and will begin “following the Independence Day celebration.”
TRUMP SAYS VANDALS USED CHEMICALS TO DAMAGE NEWLY RENOVATED REFLECTING POOL NEAR LINCOLN MEMORIAL
National Park Service employees and contractors use vacuums to remove green algae from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The damage comes after more than two months of renovations on the reflecting pool ordered by President Donald Trump.
Washington, D.C., is expected to host massive crowds for Independence Day celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary. Preparations have been set back by additional incidents, including the National Mall being marked with “8647” and a blood-written message on the Washington Monument.
Among the incidents cited by the Department of the Interior unfolding on the National Mall were multiple “8647” markings. The administration has previously interpreted the number “86” as a political threat, pointing to its common use in the restaurant industry to mean removing or refusing service, while 47 appears to refer to Trump as the 47th president.
OLYMPIAN CHARGED IN REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM TIED TO DEM FUNDRAISING GIANT
“It wasn’t until several days thereafter that there were recurring cases and videos of people ripping at the coating began to circulate.” (Department of the Interior) (Department of Interior)
In a separate case, an individual used their own blood to write “I’ve come” on the Washington Monument, according to a police report reviewed by Digital.
According to the White House, seven individuals have been arrested in connection with the alleged vandalism to the reflecting pool, seven others have been issued federal citations, and 18 police reports have been filed.
This week, U.S. Park Police asked for the public’s help identifying a person captured on camera during an investigation into damage to the reflecting pool and alleged destruction of government property in Washington, D.C. Video released by police shows what appears to be a person kneeling next to the pool and reaching an arm into the water.
The White House released a statement on Thursday, positing “this isn’t random mischief – it’s targeted sabotage by anti-American crackpots who despise a strong, proud, and beautiful country.”
DEMS PUT ON BLAST OVER POLL THAT SHOWS RECORD-LOW PATRIOTISM IN US: ‘TEAR OUR SOCIETY APART’
Paint peels from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. (REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon)
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The White House called the alleged vandals “crazed and deranged lunatics [who] have once again exposed their hatred for America with a cowardly, deliberate attack on one of our nation’s most iconic landmarks.”
Digital’s Ashley J. DiMella and Landon Mion contributed to this report.
