National Park Service reports knife damage to Reflecting Pool liner
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A National Park Service official said a sharp knife or razor cut the foam sealant liner of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 9, prompting repairs before Independence Day.
A National Park Service deputy director of operations said a sharp knife or razor was used to cut the foam sealant liner of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 9, damaging the waterproofing material and throwing about 70 fence post tops into the water. The agency reported the incident to U.S. Park Police, which released surveillance footage and asked the public to help identify the individual seen kneeling at the pool.
The damage was documented in a court filing related to a lawsuit filed by the Cultural Landscape Foundation, which seeks to halt further work on the $16 million renovation. The park service completed more than two months of repairs in early June, installing a rubber-like liner and refilling the basin, and plans to drain the pool after Independence Day celebrations to assess and repair the cut sections.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly blamed unidentified vandals for various defects, including a “350-foot gash” in the liner, and has said six arrests have been made, though no details were provided. Congressional Democrats have called for investigations, citing concerns about no-bid contracts awarded to firms with prior ties to the administration and describing the project as a potential waste of taxpayer funds.
The U.S. Park Police continue a “Destruction of Government Property” investigation and are seeking information from anyone who can identify the person captured in the video.