- A Cabinet secretary supported claims of "vandalism" causing issues with the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's $15 million renovation, but refuted President Donald Trump’s assertion that vandals caused algae blooms.
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that algae was a "momentary thing" caused by pipes during filling while confirming "multiple gashes" totaling 350 feet in the pool's coating.
- The president had blamed "criminals" for both the algae and the coating damage, comparing the pool's size to the Empire State Building and posting about the issues on social media.
- The Reflecting Pool project, initially estimated at $2 million, has soared to nearly $15 million and remains unfinished, requiring the pool to be drained and recoated.
- Several individuals, including a former Olympian, have been arrested and charged with felony vandalism or destruction of property in connection with alleged damage to the pool.
IN FULL
