Donald J.Trump warns of 10-year jail terms after vandals damage Reflecting Pool
says the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is back in operation after vandalism and pledges repairs to a 350-foot gash in its waterproof lining after July 4th.
WHITE HOUSE — Donald J.Trump vowed up to 10 years in prison for anyone who attacks renovated monuments in Washington, D.C., after vandals damaged the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, in a Truth Social post on June 29, 2026, at 3:51 PM EST.
Here is the full post (see truthsocial): “The Reflecting Pool, which suffered great damage due to the Vandals and Radical Left SCUM that hate our Country, has been, for the past two days, in full operation. It looks beautiful! After July 4th, we will release the water, fix the damage done to the very expensive waterproof matting, with the use of sharp knives and muscle, including the 350 foot gash along its right side, and have it looking as good as it was two weeks ago, when it was absolutely PERFECT! This will all happen very quickly. Security is watching very carefully for the almost 70 other Monuments, Statues, and Fountains that we renovated throughout Washington, D.C. If anyone attacks any of them, they get as much as 10 years in jail. In any event, go check it out — The Reflecting Pool is magnificent! Thank you for your attention to this matter. Donald J.Trump”
Trump described the pool as operating and looking “beautiful” despite what he called a 350-foot gash along its right side caused by vandals using “sharp knives and muscle” to cut through expensive waterproof matting. He said repairs would begin after July 4th, when crews plan to drain the pool and restore the lining.
The Reflecting Pool is the largest reflecting pool in Washington, D.C., stretching roughly 2,030 feet long and 167 feet wide between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument (see Google). It draws 24 million visitors each year. Trump ordered the pool resurfaced earlier in 2026 with a blue polyurea coating he called “American flag blue,” and a nanobubbler filtration system was installed to combat algae (see Google). The Interior Department estimated the project cost at $13.1 million (see Google).
Trump also warned that security forces are monitoring roughly 70 other monuments, statues, and fountains his administration renovated across the capital. He threatened up to 10 years in prison for anyone who damages them.
The post is part of a broader pattern of Trump using his social media platform to address crime-related topics. In the last 30 days, 23 of 598 Trump posts focused on the topic of crime.
Trump chose the contractor, color, and other factors for the Reflecting Pool renovation without typical federal agency reviews, public comment periods, or congressional approval (see theguardian.com).Atlantic Industrial Coatings, which had performed prior work at Trump-branded properties, carried out the resurfacing (see Google).
Source: Zenger real-time database of all Truth Social posts.
Note: Chart generated on June 29, 2026 at 3:55 PM EST
Source: Zenger analysis
Note: Table generated by NewsFindr on June 29, 2026 at 3:55 PM EST