Trump threatens jail for anyone who damages the nearly refilled Reflecting Pool
Donald Trump warned that anyone who harms the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will be jailed, despite court findings that recent damage was due to a faulty installation.
President Donald Trump announced on social media that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is roughly 70% filled and warned that vandals will face jail time. He dismissed a court filing that blamed a contractor’s botched liner installation for the damage, instead blaming alleged vandals. Earlier, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro had charged former Olympian David Hearn with destroying the liner, but prosecutors later admitted the coating peeled due to faulty installation and the charges were dropped.
Judges blocked any re-prosecution, citing potential political influence. Trump also suggested the pool has leaked since its 1922 construction and noted new surveillance cameras. The renovation, initially projected at $1.5 million, has risen to nearly $20 million, with most costs coming from no-bid contracts.
Why it matters
The story highlights political interference in a federal renovation project and raises concerns about misuse of legal pressure.
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