U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro declared Sunday that those responsible for vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Washington’s National Mall will face the full weight of the criminal justice system.
The announcement comes amid ongoing problems with the iconic 2,000-foot-long rectangular pool, which sits on the National Mall. President Donald Trump declared the pool’s $14.7 million renovation complete on June 6, but within less than two weeks, the new blue paint began visibly peeling off the surface.
Pirro confirmed that vandalism citations have already been issued, and she emphasized that even minor offenses must be addressed to maintain safety in the nation’s capital. “Anyone who is in a position of vandalizing or attempting to vandalize will face the criminal justice system in D.C.,” she told Fox News’ ‘Sunday Briefing’ program.
On Saturday, Trump alleged — without offering supporting evidence — that vandals had dumped corrosive chemicals into the pool. The pool has also developed an algae bloom, turning the water a greenish color. Pirro warned that individuals found to have introduced algae-promoting substances into the pool could face more serious criminal charges.
Earlier this week, National Park Service workers treated the algae problem by adding hydrogen peroxide to the water.
Trump first raised the vandalism allegations on Friday in a social media post, where he also stated that 75% of the algae had been eliminated. In that same post, he accused ABC News journalist Jonathan Karl of “trying to rip the rubber off of the surface” of the pool. ABC News did not immediately provide a response when asked for comment.
