President Donald Trump reiterated on Monday that vandals of national monuments will face severe federal penalties, including prison sentences of up to 10 years.
Trump launched the $14 million 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.”
Authorities have issued citations and made several arrests related to damage at the pool after the completion of its renovation on June 6. 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.
Former Olympic canoe racer David Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, was among those detained by National Guard troops and Park Police.
According to Hearn, he stopped by the pool during his 64-mile bike ride Friday to investigate the situation himself out of curiosity. Hearn reached into the pool because he wanted to examine the peeling new coating and briefly touched a chunk that was still attached to the side of the pool. Hearn said he let go shortly after a park worker told him to.
“I’m a curious citizen,” Hearn said. “I reached down to see what it felt like. It was very rubbery.”
However, some Democratic lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the project's cost and questioned the Trump administration's priorities.