Donald Trump says "fix the scars and damage that was done by the Vandals" on Lincoln Memorial pool

The National Park Service partially refilled the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Friday to clear its water-supply pipes, attributing clogged lines to inadequate upkeep before President Trump took office—a stance resembling Trump’s own criticism of his predecessors. The pool had been closed and drained since July during a $16 million renovation that has faced repeated setbacks. Trump described the operation at that time as repairing destruction by vandals. However, federal prosecutors, including U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, have since dropped charges against several suspects, including former Olympian David Hearn, saying evidence pointed to a hurried, faulty renovation instead of deliberate damage. The episode highlights disputes over accountability for the landmark’s repair problems.