Trump says vandals damaged Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Trump the president said the National Mall landmark drained for repairs after what he called a “massive slash,” vowing prosecution of those responsible.

First Published: July 17, 2026, 9:57 AM ETUpdates (1): July 17, 2026, 9:57 AM ET

WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald Trump said vandals damaged the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, forcing crews to drain it for repairs.

Here is the full post on truthsocial: “The Reflecting Pool, so badly damaged by Deranged Vandals, has be emptied as the massive slash gets repaired. We got it through the great July Fourth Weekend. What kind of animals would do such a thing? We are looking for a Vandal Proof material, but such a thing should not have been necessary. The Scum in Court will hopefully be prosecuted to the MAX. President DJT”

The president said crews emptied the pool to repair a “massive slash” in the structure and that the damage held through the Independence Day holiday weekend. He said officials are searching for a “Vandal Proof material” to prevent future damage. He pledged that those responsible would be “prosecuted to the MAX.” The claims appeared in a post on Truth Social on July 17, 2026 at 9:46 AM ET.

The Reflecting Pool sits at the center of the National Mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The National Park Service manages the landmark, which draws millions of visitors each year and serves as the backdrop for national gatherings. Damage to federal property carries potential criminal penalties, and prosecutions of vandalism on the Mall have followed prior incidents.

The repairs would matter to the many tourists who visit the site during summer travel months. A drained pool and active repair work can reroute foot traffic and alter one of the most photographed vistas in the nation’s capital.

Has this happened before? This has happened before. Monuments and grounds on the National Mall have faced graffiti and structural damage in past years, prompting cleanups and closures managed by the National Park Service.

A date for any court proceeding or a completion timeline for the repairs has not been announced. Federal prosecutors would decide whether to bring charges against anyone identified in connection with the damage.

Acts of vandalism on national symbols have drawn presidential attention before. In 2020, protesters defaced several statues and monuments in Washington, and federal authorities charged multiple people under statutes protecting government property. Those cases moved through the courts over the following months, and some defendants received fines and probation.