Trump vows immediate repairs to algae‑plagued Reflecting Pool
The President flew over the 2,030‑ft pool in a helicopter, “inspecting” it from the air before posting an urgent statement on Truth Social that work would begin right away.
The Reflecting Pool, built in the 1920s and located between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, has recently endured a massive multi‑million dollar overhaul that included a fresh coat of blue paint. Despite the $13 million facelift, the pool’s water has turned a bright green‑yellow due to a rampant algae bloom, and paint peeling has been documented on the bottom.
Trump said the paint had been vandalised ahead of the 250th anniversary of the country’s July 4 Independence Day, and he has called the vandals “SICK DERANGED PEOPLE.” He also said the pool may have to be drained again this month to carry out the repairs.
US authorities are on board. Washington’s attorney, Jeanine Pirro, vowed to prosecute anyone found to have damaged the pool, and police reports indicate five people have been arrested and five more cited for vandalism.
A police officer detained a former Olympic athlete, who claimed he had merely touched peeling paint. The incident sparked a small legal dispute with the plaintiff claiming an “arbitrary, capricious prosecution.”
Meanwhile, officials have been using chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide, to fight the green algae that took hold after the pool was refilled earlier this month. A university professor sampled the water on 16 June and found the algae species Desmodesmus, which is harmless, but the ecological balance of the pool remains a concern.
A photographer noted a dead duckling in the water, raising questions about whether the creature was killed during maintenance. For now, the comprehensive plan is to begin repairs immediately, with the hope of restoring the pool’s pristine look before the national holiday.
