Washington's water mirror has increased surveillance after Trump blames algae on vandals

Paint begins to peel off Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool days after renovation
United States law enforcement agencies have stepped up security at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington after the recently renovated site at the request of President Donald Trump turned green due to the presence of algae.
National Guard soldiers patrol the area around the approximately 600-meter site on the National Mall in groups of three or four. Solar-powered lighting towers illuminate the area at night, and about half a dozen mobile security posts, equipped with surveillance cameras, surround the perimeter.
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The enhanced security measures come after problems that marred a US$14.7 million renovation of the reflecting pool. Trump attributed the recent situation to saboteurs who acted in the middle of the night.
Although there is no evidence to support Trump's claim that a vandal damaged the reflecting pool, a National Park Service employee said in a sworn statement last Wednesday night that on June 9, the US Park Police examined apparently intentional damage to the reflecting pool.
The increased security presence made Mary Jane Willard, a tourist from Seattle, uncomfortable. "It's very sad to come here and see all these fences, see all the National Guard here, see all the cameras," Willard said Wednesday. "This simply shouldn't be here."
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Three weeks ago, the Trump administration celebrated the completion of work on repainting the iconic pool, which stretches from the Lincoln Memorial almost to the Washington Monument. The color chosen was "American flag blue" for the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence on July 4.
In the days since, the reflecting pool has been beset by problems, including algal blooms -- a long-standing scourge that has dyed the water green -- and chunks of blue coating peeling off the bottom.
Just days before the National Mall hosts U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations, the reflecting pool has become the latest symbol of Trump's Washington: a test of his attempts to distort reality in his favor and bend law enforcement to his personal whims.
Few details on vandalism arrests
Trump has shown personal interest in the reflecting pool project, one of several ways he has sought to leave his mark on historic downtown Washington.
Pressed about the lack of evidence to support his claims of vandalism, Trump told reporters on Monday: "On time Sure, you'll see. Summer in court."
The Department of the Interior said in a social media post Tuesday that six people were arrested for alleged vandalism at the water feature, and seven others were issued federal summonses. The department said it is also investigating the incident mentioned by Trump, but provided no photos or other evidence to support those claims.
Visitors watch as a National Park Service employee uses a vacuum to clean the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Friday (19)
Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo
Neither the Department of the Interior nor the U.S. Park Police have released the names of those indicted or the charges they face. Neither agency responded to a request for comment Wednesday.
Local and federal court records show no cases in recent days involving vandalism at the reflecting pool. The detainees may not appear in local court records in Washington, D.C., unless the U.S. Attorney's Office decides to file charges.
Federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro, a Trump ally, told Fox News in an interview broadcast on Sunday that the defendants "will face the criminal justice system."
Former Olympic athlete in handcuffs
One of those detained was former U.S. Olympian David Hearn. A video posted on social media by conservative journalist Emily Miller showed Hearn, who was riding his bicycle near the reflecting pool, being approached by National Guard soldiers and later handcuffed by police.
Hearn, in an interview with The Washington Post, denied destroying or removing any property, but said he reached into the reflecting pool and picked up a partially detached piece of the cladding, which was peeling.
"Treating common conduct as criminal distracts attention from the real questions about how this project was managed," Norm Eisen, an attorney representing Hearn who has been involved in a series of lawsuits against the Trump administration, said in a statement. eyes, but actually, I think I was expecting something a little different. To me, it looks pretty good," said Joanna Walling, who was visiting from Merritt Island, Florida. "It doesn't look like anyone's out here vandalizing today."

Source: G1