President Donald Trump acknowledged that contractors caused some damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool while continuing to accuse former Olympic canoeist David "Davey" Hearn of deliberately vandalizing the site.
Trump Details Pool Damage
On Sunday, in a Truth Social post, Trump said a National Park Service career employee witnessed Hearn allegedly "violently" ripping and tugging at the pool’s "somewhat delicate coating" in broad daylight.
He described the employee as a "highly credible witness" and said the Park Service worker provided testimony to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in early July.
The President also alleged that an "acid like material" was used on newly installed grass next to the pool, where the letters "86 47" were written.
He said the phrase was "probably gotten from James Comey."
At the same time, Trump acknowledged that contractors caused some damage while rushing to prepare the pool for a July 4 opening.
"As with many jobs, there was also some contractor error done by rushing the job for a July 4th opening," he wrote, calling the affected area "very small" and "relatively inconsequential."
Trump said there was "substantial other damage" to the pool but acknowledged that some incidents had no video or proof "other than the damage itself."
"We are working on the Pool, and it will reopen shortly," he said.
He added, "Security cameras have been, and are being, installed."
Trump Disputes DOJ Pool Finding
Earlier this month, Trump rejected the Justice Department’s finding that a flawed installation caused the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool liner to peel, calling it "a pure case of VANDALISM."
Trump said he "disagree[d] 100%" with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
The President also shared Park Police footage showing people at the site, though the video did not clearly establish whether the individuals caused the damage or removed already-peeled lining.
Last month, the Justice Department moved to dismiss vandalism charges against Hearn after documents pointed to a rushed, botched installation by contractor Atlantic Industrial Coatings.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo Courtesy: Joey Sussman on Shutterstock.com
