Trump claims six arrests over Reflecting Pool vandalism amid repair debate
President Donald Trump said six people were arrested for alleged vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, AP News reported. Earlier, Trump told reporters that federal authorities had detained several individuals after the $14 million renovation showed algae growth and peeling paint, and he warned that the damage could lead to prison sentences, Fox News noted. NBC News added that Trump warned the water might have to be drained for repairs, and NPR reported that officials had not confirmed any arrests or sabotage.
Federal officials later said five people were detained in connection with the suspected damage, NBC News said, while Trump announced immediate repair work after a helicopter inspection, BBC reported. The administration scheduled a drainage of the pool, BBC added, and Trump said he would present court evidence of a large slit cut in the pool, CBS noted, although officials said no such evidence had been found. By the latest AP report, repairs continued amid ongoing algae problems and the claimed arrests had not been verified by authorities.
