On Sunday, August 10th, 2026, President Trump stated there was "some contractor error" during the renovations of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. He acknowledged "substantial damage" to the pool but noted there is no video or proof beyond the damage itself. Trump said the pool is being repaired and will reopen shortly.
Trump also accused former Olympian canoeist David Hearn of vandalizing the landmark, claiming a National Park Service "career employee, a highly credible witness," saw Hearn "in broad daylight vandalize the Reflecting Pool by ‘violently’ ripping and tugging at the Pool’s somewhat delicate coating." However, charges against Hearn were dropped.
The president's remarks followed his posting of photos on Truth Social showing alleged graffiti and peeling coating on the pool. He urged prosecutor Jeanine Pirro to reconsider the decision to drop charges against multiple individuals accused of vandalism. Pirro’s office attributed the damage to contractor overspray and delamination, citing rushed and botched work that was not corrected before project completion and fence removal.
Trump is pushing the Justice Department to reverse its decision to drop criminal charges related to the site damage. He also mentioned that security cameras have been and are being installed at the pool.
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