The United States Park Police has released surveillance images from the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as part of an investigation into the alleged destruction of government property amid scrutiny over the recently renovated landmark.
The footage, initially released Wednesday, appears to show an individual kneeling beside the Reflecting Pool and reaching into the water at around 3:30 p.m. on June 19.
Officials in the “information bulletin” did not characterize the person as a suspect.
The newly released images come as President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed the Reflecting Pool has been damaged and vandals cut the pool’s lining and used chemicals.
Scrutiny over Trump’s $14 million rehabilitation project for the landmark emerged after it turned chartreuse from an algae bloom just days after the renovation was completed.
Trump launched the rehabilitation project for the nation’s 250th anniversary. The 2,000-foot-long rectangular pool was in desperate need of renovation, according to the president.
But after it was renovated, the national monument suffered an algae bloom that made the water look green. Workers then treated it with chemicals to kill the algae, but the painted blue lining on the bottom began to peel. Trump has attributed recent issues at the reflecting pool—including the peeling of its blue paint—to acts of vandalism.
“We’ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool,” Trump posted on social media last week. “Just like three days ago, they destroyed the grass outside of the Pool, they’ve also done everything possible to hurt the inside surface that was just installed.”
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said that people caught vandalizing the pool will be prosecuted and that more serious charges could be considered if investigators determine someone intentionally introduced substances into the water to worsen the algae problem.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said that people caught vandalizing the pool will be prosecuted and that more serious charges could be considered if investigators determine someone intentionally introduced substances into the water to worsen the algae problem.
Authorities have issued citations and made several arrests related to damage at the pool, including former Olympic canoe racer David Hearn, who claimed he was just observing the landmark out of curiosity.
Trump has warned that vandals of national monuments will face severe federal penalties, including prison sentences of up to 10 years.
Some Democratic lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the project's cost and questioned the Trump administration's priorities.