Trump alleges vandals damaged $14.8 million Lincoln pool project
What's new: The claim adds to scrutiny of the renovation after algae and peeling paint surfaced within weeks of completion.
President Donald Trump alleged Friday that vandals used chemicals to damage the newly restored reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial, and said authorities were investigating. He wrote that vandals also tore up grass around the site and compared the damage to chemicals he said had been used earlier on the National Mall. The pool reopened June 6 after a $14.8 million restoration project, but it soon drew criticism after algae spread across the water and parts of the new surface showed peeling paint. This week, the National Park Service and contractors used chemicals, ozone nanobubbles and a pool-style vacuum system to curb the algae growth.