As anti-vandalism measures are underway, including security fences surrounding the D.C. landmark, President Donald Trump is providing new details into the series of arrests related to damage done to the recently remodeled reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial.
His remarks on Wednesday came after a wave of social media posts showed individuals engaging in behavior some believe to be acts of vandalism.
The Hill provided coverage of Trump’s remarks:
“They went down with probably a box cutter or a very sharp razor or some kind to a knife, and they cut, and then they started ripping it up,” he said while meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office. “You know why? Because they’re sick people.”
ADVERTISEMENTTrump said some water will be released from the pool to fix the ripped parts, adding it could be before or after July 4.
“These people should go to jail for a long time,” he said, adding that it’s “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Trump had previously speculated that fertilizer was poured in, causing the algae.
“Around the reflecting pool we have a huge field of grass,” he said. “They poured acid on the grass, the same people I guess.
“It killed, you know, acid kills grass quickly, so that’s being fixed.”
Here are a few clips of suspicious activity captured near the pool:
🚨 JUST IN: ANOTHER MAN DETAINED accused of RIPPING the Lincoln Reflecting Pool sealant off the bottom of the pool
Leftists are seriously mentally deranged!
They were ALWAYS going to try to revert it back to filth. MAJOR TDS pic.twitter.com/GBj4gbrGvq
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 20, 2026
🚨 JUST IN: Video has been released of suspected vandals DESTROYING the lining of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool
Trump Derangement Syndrome seems to be a BRAIN EATING disease. This is INSANE.
This particular incident took place on June 19. Now, even NYTimes is admitting… pic.twitter.com/PdYJUG1jr9
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 24, 2026
Happening RIGHT NOW – DC police have started making FELONY ARRESTS after green-haired liberals entered into the reflecting pool and began dumping loads of LIVE ALGAE into it.
They're also intentionally PEELING PAINT from the pool as Antifa anarchists cause chaos on dirt bikes in… pic.twitter.com/SnGs6PWjTj
— Blue Lives Matter (@bluelivesmtr) June 20, 2026
With a massive Great American Fair about to kick off as part of the America 250 celebration, security is a major focus of the Trump administration.
As WUSA reported:
Many tourists were seen strolling along the nearby Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Wednesday, which has added security cameras, lights and began putting up fencing. The Department of Interior told WUSA9 the fencing is to prepare for the Fourth of July fireworks show, but is appearing earlier than in the past to prevent alleged vandalism to the pool.
Greenwater, the company hired to clear out algae, said it continues to use its NanoBubble Ozone Technology that they say must stay indefinitely to keep the pool clear.
Rockford Wright is visiting from Nevada and took his family to check out what’s been making national news the past couple weeks.
“The drama and controversy of this reflecting pool we’re hearing about in Las Vegas so as we walk by and see it, it has more meaning than we would’ve otherwise experienced because of some of the things going on,” said Wright.
And here’s some commentary on the matter from none other than “Frasier” star Kelsey Grammer:
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