Trump Deploys National Guard to Quell Reflecting Pool Renovation Disaster

Donald Trump’s administration scrambles to fix a botched $14 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, now patrolled by National Guard service members and U.S. Park Police. The deadline looms as the nation prepares for its 250th anniversary celebration.

Trump claims authorities have made "multiple arrests" of those he blames for the damage to the pool's peeling coating, which surfaced after an algae bloom. He insists that "SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE!" are responsible for the chaos.

The renovation aimed to clean and beautify the iconic site, with Trump personally selecting an "American flag blue" coating. He touted it as a gleaming expanse along the National Mall, but the reality quickly unraveled.

Just weeks after declaring the project complete for Independence Day, a vivid green algae bloom clouded the pool's surface. An approximately four-foot-square piece of the liner was seen partially floating last Friday, with more pieces spotted on Monday.

Trump's social media rants allege intentional damage, including a "300-foot-long gash" and claims that "chemicals have been illegally placed in the water." However, he has not provided evidence for these assertions, and the algae bloom appeared more intense than previous occurrences.

Hearn spent five hours in custody under the watch of National Guard troops and Park Police. The Park Police have not disclosed how many arrests were made or what charges were filed, leaving it unclear what violation touching the pool might entail. Trump has threatened prison time for unnamed individuals, citing laws against defacing federal monuments.