RismadarVoice Reporters, June 22, 2026
Not fewer than five people have been arrested in connection with the alleged vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, according to a U.S. administration official, as President Donald Trump warned that those found responsible could face lengthy prison sentences.
Authorities also issued citations to five additional individuals as investigations into the reported damage continue.
The arrests follow claims by President Trump that the iconic Reflecting Pool had been deliberately damaged. The president alleged that a large section of the pool’s protective surface had been compromised, requiring significant repair work.
Among those arrested was former U.S. Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn. Hearn previously stated that he was detained for several hours after touching what he described as a loose piece of detached coating at the site.
The controversy intensified over the weekend after Trump met with contractors to discuss the condition of the monument. He later indicated that the Reflecting Pool might need to be drained again to assess and repair the damage.
Speaking on social media Monday, the president reiterated his concerns, claiming that unauthorised substances had been introduced into the water and warning that federal penalties for damaging national monuments would be strictly enforced.
“Please remember that there is a 10-year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things,” Trump wrote.
National Park Service personnel were seen carrying out maintenance work at the Reflecting Pool over the weekend, including efforts to remove algae and inspect sections of the pool’s lining.
Despite the allegations, authorities have not publicly released evidence detailing the full extent of the reported damage. Investigations remain ongoing, and officials have yet to determine whether criminal vandalism was responsible.
Reports have it that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is one of the most visited landmarks in Washington, D.C., attracting millions of visitors each year and serving as a focal point for national commemorations and public gatherings.
