US President Donald Trump threatened a “10 year prison sentence” to anyone caught vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC after the recently renovated structure lost its blue color within weeks of renovation.
The Trump administration had awarded a $14.7 million (€12.87 million) no-bid contract to Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings to recoat the pool “American flag blue” before the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations next month.
However, soon after the completion of the renovations, the paint started to peel off and the water in the pool turned green due to algae.
The 2,000-foot-long (609-meter) rectangular pool will now be drained and re-renovated by the repair company as part of the warranty, officials said on Monday.
Vandalism by ‘sick, deranged’ people, says Trump
Trump blamed unspecified “sick, deranged” people for vandalizing the pool.
“Of the MANY Statues and Fountains that we rebuilt, renovated, cleaned, and fixed, the only one that was Vandalized was the Reflecting Pool, which is being taken care of, ASAP!” the US president posted on his Truth Social platform on Monday.
“Please remember that there is a 10 year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things – Which will be fully enforced!” he added.
He did not provide any proof of the reported vandalism.
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Trump also alleged that there was a 290-to-300-foot “slit” through the pool, likely caused by a sharp object.
“They went in there with a knife,” he said, without providing evidence.
Five people were arrested for vandalizing the pool and five others issued federal citations, according to media reports. Among those arrested was also a former Olympian who has publicly denied the charges.
Edited by: Rana Taha
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