US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC, has been drained for repairs following a series of setbacks, including alleged vandalism. The renovation of the pool, a pet project of Trump's, has faced issues such as algae growth and peeling paint, which the president has attributed to vandals.
Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that the pool was drained to fix the damage, emphasizing that they waited until after the July Fourth holiday to begin the repairs. 'The Parks Department had to empty the water in order to fix the watertight basin. It will be refilled and put back into service soon,' he wrote.
Among those accused of vandalizing the Reflecting Pool is David Hearn, a former Olympic slalom canoeist for the United States, who pleaded not guilty to vandalism charges last week. The renovation project, which includes painting and sealing, is estimated to cost at least $14 million.
Despite the completion of the work, the coating began to peel off and algae turned the pool's water a mucky green. Trump has repeatedly blamed these issues on vandals, though he has not provided evidence to support these claims. The Reflecting Pool is one of several beautification projects in Washington championed by Trump.
