Federal authorities have reportedly arrested five individuals and cited five others in connection with reported vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, according to the Department of the Interior.
A spokesperson for the department confirmed Monday that law enforcement had taken action following reports of damage at the iconic Washington, D.C., landmark.
“Five individuals have been arrested for vandalism. Five additional individuals were issued federal citations,” the spokesperson told The Hill.
The incident has drawn attention from the Trump administration, which has emphasized the importance of preserving federal monuments and public spaces. President Donald Trump addressed the matter in a social media post Monday, expressing frustration over what he described as the destruction of a recently restored national site.
Trump noted that the Reflecting Pool was the only monument or fountain among numerous federal restoration projects that had reportedly been vandalized.
“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 president wrote.
According to Trump, the damage included a lengthy gash extending roughly 300 feet, the introduction of chemicals into the water, and destruction of a newly restored grassy area surrounding the pool.
The president also claimed that a large “86 47” had been chemically carved into the grass. In his post, Trump suggested the message was “probably inspired” by former FBI Director James Comey, referencing an image Comey posted on social media last year. Trump noted that the Justice Department later prosecuted Comey for threatening the president.
The Reflecting Pool, located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, is one of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks and has long served as a symbol of American history and civic life. Damage to such sites often sparks renewed debate about respect for public property and the consequences for those who vandalize national monuments.
Trump emphasized that federal penalties for damaging government property can be severe. He pointed out that destruction of federal property carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years and pledged that the law would be enforced.
The administration has also signaled that prosecutors are prepared to pursue charges against anyone responsible for damaging the site.
Over the weekend, Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, discussed the investigation during an appearance on Fox News’s “The Sunday Briefing” with host Peter Doocy.
Pirro warned that authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and indicated that additional charges could be considered if investigators determine that more significant harm was caused.
“If there are more serious products that are put into the Reflecting Pool to create more algae or a bigger problem, then we’ll consider more serious charges,” Pirro said.
She stressed that maintaining and protecting public landmarks remains a priority for federal officials.
“But make no mistake, making D.C. beautiful is a priority,” Pirro added. “And if you damage, vandalize or do anything to impact something like the Reflecting Pool, you can be prosecuted.”
The investigation remains ongoing. According to an administration official, the U.S. Park Police is continuing to examine reports of vandalism and determine whether further enforcement actions may be warranted as authorities work to restore the damaged area.