Washington Reflecting Pool to Be Drained Again as Trump Threatens Lawsuits Against ABC
Just weeks after a massive multi-million dollar makeover, Washington DC's historic Reflecting Pool is being emptied for a second time this month to deal with sudden peeling paint and bright green algae. While critics raise eyebrows over the project's skyrocketing costs and no-bid contracts, President Donald Trump is pointing the finger squarely at saboteurs, warning that those responsible will face serious time behind bars.
The 1920s landmark, which stretches between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, has historically struggled with leaks and dirt. Hoping for a pristine look ahead of next month's 250th American anniversary, the administration recently ordered a face-lift for the site, adding a deep blue paint to the bottom. The project was declared finished on June 6th, but the fresh look quickly deteriorated. Visitors have even been seen scooping floating flakes of blue paint right out of the water, while National Park Service employees resorted to dumping hydrogen peroxide into the pool to kill off the multiplying algae.
Trump claimed the sudden issues are the result of deliberate destruction. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office after flying over the site, he alleged that a culprit used a box cutter or knife to slash the pool. He initially described a 290-to-300-foot tear, later expanding his estimate to a "350-foot slit," and suggested someone dumped fertilizer into the water to trigger the algae growth. When pushed by reporters to show proof of the massive slash, Trump stated the evidence would be presented in court.
Taking to Truth Social, the president issued a strict warning against vandalising the Reflecting Pool, echoing aggressive prosecution promises from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro: "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!"
According to reports, U.S. Park Police and officials have already arrested five people for vandalism, including a former Olympian who has publicly maintained their innocence, while five others have received federal citations or remain under investigation. Meanwhile, the Virginia-based contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, downplayed the drama, stating that the peeling areas represent only a tiny fraction of the 7-acre liner and do not mean that the system has failed. The company plans to handle the repairs under its warranty.
The drama has also ignited a fierce political and legal battle between the White House and ABC News. The network recently reported that the taxpayer cost for the no-bid repainting contract had ballooned by $4 million, reaching $14.65 million. Combined with a separate $1.74 million non-competitive contract for an anti-algae "nano bubble" system, the total bill surpassed $16 million.
Enraged by the coverage, Trump threatened to sue ABC News for inaccurate reporting, declaring that any won cash would go directly to the U.S. Treasury. He blasted the broadcaster online, writing that ABC "failed to report that their close 'friends,' Dumocrats Obama and Biden, spent over 100 Million Dollars on the Reflecting Pool, and it never worked." He contrasted that by adding, "I spent approximately 16 Million Dollars, and it came out great, except for the Vandalism, which we are now fixing." While historical records show the Obama administration spent roughly $35 million on the pool and the Biden administration ordered no major overhauls, Trump insisted his version of the project "looks very good" outside of the alleged sabotage.
The legal threats land at a highly tense moment for the broadcaster. ABC is currently facing two Federal Communications Commission investigations led by a Trump appointee, which has forced several of its local stations to fast-track their broadcasting license renewals years ahead of schedule. In response to the intensifying pressure, ABC has launched an on-air campaign urging its audience to stand by the network.
