In brief
President Donald Trump announced that the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall will undergo immediate repairs after severe algae growth and alleged vandalism threatened the landmark. Despite a $13m refurbishment, the pool’s fresh paint has peeled and algae have tinted the water bright green. Trump, comments from his helicopter after Camp David, said the pool needed a second draining and refilling this month and threatened legal action against vandals. Meanwhile, police have cited or arrested several suspects, and experts caution that ongoing monitoring is essential to prevent harmful algae from entering the ecosystem.
A spokesperson for the former U.S. president said the leader had "inspected" the Reflecting Pool and would begin work to avert further damage, following a multi‑million dollar makeover that saw the surface painted blue and the pool refilled earlier this month.
Despite the refurbishment, the water has turned a bright green due to a bloom of the harmless algae Desmodesmus, and parts of the fresh paint are breaking away from the pool’s surface. Police reports indicate seven arrests and five citations have already been issued over alleged vandalism, with a former Olympic athlete among those charged.
Jeanine Pirro, U.S. attorney for Washington DC, said the department would prosecute anyone who vandalised the pool. Trump delivered the criticism from a helicopter on his return from Camp David, stating, "I just inspected it and could only say to myself, WOW, who would do such a thing? SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE!"
The park police agency has not confirmed the arrest figures. Nonetheless, authorities have used chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide, to combat the algae, while a professor at George Mason University warned that future visits by birds could introduce more problematic species.
In the aftermath, a former Olympian denied vandalism and accused the police of an arbitrary prosecution. The pool’s eight‑month delay in full restoration highlights the ongoing maintenance challenges of Washington’s most iconic features.
