The National Park Service (NPS) intends to re-drain the Reflecting Pool following Independence Day to carry out necessary repairs, a plan detailed in a court document released by the White House. This action comes after the pool was reportedly vandalized.
According to the document, filed in federal court on Thursday, NPS Deputy Director for Operations Frank Lands confirmed that U.S. Park Police responded to reports of damage at the Reflecting Pool on June 9.
Details of the Damage and Repair Plan
Lands specified that the damage included foam sealant caulk that had been cut with a "sharp knife or razor," along with "destruction of delaminating surface material." Additionally, approximately 70 fence post tops were discovered thrown into the pool.
The NPS plans involve draining the Reflecting Pool to facilitate repairs, which will encompass "assessing and repairing any damage to the lining." These efforts are scheduled to commence "following the Independence Day celebration."
This incident occurs less than a year after the Reflecting Pool underwent more than two months of extensive renovations, which had been commissioned by former President Donald Trump.
Broader Incidents on the National Mall
Washington, D.C., is preparing to host substantial crowds for Independence Day festivities, marking America's 250th anniversary. However, preparations have encountered setbacks due to several other incidents. These include the National Mall being marked with the number "8647" and a message written in what appeared to be blood on the Washington Monument.
Among the disturbances highlighted by the Department of the Interior on the National Mall were multiple instances of "8647" markings. The number "86" is commonly used in the restaurant industry to signify removing or refusing service, and the administration has previously interpreted it as a political threat. The number "47" is understood to reference Trump as the 47th president.
Law Enforcement Response and Official Condemnation
The White House has reported that seven individuals have been apprehended in connection with the alleged vandalism at the Reflecting Pool. Furthermore, seven others have received federal citations, and a total of 18 police reports have been filed.
Earlier this week, U.S. Park Police sought public assistance in identifying an individual captured on video during an investigation into the Reflecting Pool damage and alleged destruction of government property in Washington, D.C. The video footage released by law enforcement reportedly shows a person kneeling beside the pool and reaching an arm into the water.
On Thursday, the White House issued a statement strongly condemning the acts, asserting:
This isn’t random mischief – it’s targeted sabotage by anti-American crackpots who despise a strong, proud, and beautiful country.
The statement further characterized the alleged vandals as "crazed and deranged lunatics [who] have once again exposed their hatred for America with a cowardly, deliberate attack on one of our nation’s most iconic landmarks."
