Trump says vandals used chemicals to damage newly renovated reflecting pool near Lincoln Memorial

The president said the damaged area would be fixed early next week as
law enforcement investigates the incident 

President Donald Trump on Friday said vandals damaged the recently
renovated reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial, adding that
authorities are investigating the incident. 

Trump's comments come as the recently renovated reflecting pool faces
scrutiny over peeling paint and algae growth just weeks after a $14.8
million restoration project was completed. 

"Things are really looking good in our Nation’s Capital, and add to that
the fact that when I became President, Crime was rampant, and now,
Washington, D.C., is one of the Safest Cities anywhere in the United
States," Trump wrote on Truth Social. 

"However, we’ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful
Reflecting Pool, which sits between The Washington Monument and The
Lincoln Memorial," he continued. 

WHITE HOUSE BLASTS WASHINGTON POST'S CLAIM REFLECTING POOL 'LOOKS ALMOST
THE SAME' AFTER TRUMP RENOVATIONS 

"Just like three days ago, they destroyed the grass outside of the Pool,
they’ve also done everything possible to hurt the inside surface that
was just installed." 

Trump accused vandals of damaging the grounds surrounding the reflecting
pool and said they used chemicals to damage the pool's newly installed
surface. 

"No different than the chemicals that were used on the National Mall,
they used something similar in the Reflecting Pool to try to destroy and
demean our beautiful work," he said. 

DIRT BIKES, ATVS DRIVEN AROUND WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON, DC:
VIDEO 

Trump's comments come about a week after a large "86 47" message
appeared to be etched into the grass near the National Mall between the
Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial. 

Administration officials previously characterized the message as
threatening, arguing that "86" is sometimes used as slang for removing
or getting rid of something, while "47" refers to Trump as the nation's
47th president. 

Trump announced on June 6 that the $14.8 million restoration project at
the historic reflecting pool had been completed. Days later, however,
algae appeared throughout the pool, masking portions of the newly
restored "American flag blue" bottom. 

WATCH: TRUMP REVEALS FLASHY NEW COLOR FOR NATIONAL MALL'S REFLECTING
POOL MAKEOVER 

This week, the National Park Service and contractors deployed chemicals
and ozone nanobubbles to help mitigate the algae growth. 

Workers also used a swimming pool-style vacuum system to remove algae
from the bottom of the pool. 

"There are no harmful side effects to marine life or to the
environment," the park service said in a statement this week. 

TRUMP WORKING TO CLEAN 'FILTHY' LINCOLN MEMORIAL REFLECTING POOL, BLAMES
BIDEN FOR MAINTENANCE DELAYS 

Trump said most of the algae had been removed and that the vandalized
area would be repaired by next week. 

"The algae is 75% gone, and the condition will soon be completely
remedied, and the area that was vandalized, fortunately, is just a small
area of damage, and will be fixed early next week," Trump said. 

He also said law enforcement is actively investigating the alleged
vandalism. Images posted on social media Friday showed National Guard
personnel and U.S. Park Police officers patrolling the area. 

Videos posted on social media also appeared to show people gathered near
the Reflecting Pool criticizing the renovation project and celebrating
the algae growth. 

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-vandals-used-chemicals-damage
-newly-renovated-reflecting-pool-lincoln-memorial