Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Liner Cut with Knife, NPS Says

In June, a sharp knife or razor was used to slice a liner at the base of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which compromised foam sealant from a $16 million rehabilitation initiative, as stated by Frank Lands, the National Park Service's deputy director of operations. The incident, which occurred on June 9, was reported to the US Park Police. Lands’ remarks were included in a court filing on Wednesday related to a lawsuit by a non-profit aimed at stopping the Trump administration's project. The police report noted damage such as cut caulk and ruined surface material, along with approximately 70 fence post tops thrown into the pool. The statement did not clarify if the damage was vandalism or name any suspects. This marks the first detailed account from the administration regarding the pool's damage after the project's near completion. President Donald Trump has consistently attributed the renovation issues to unidentified vandals, despite lacking evidence.