Reflecting Pool liner was cut with a sharp knife or razor, National Park Service says

By — Matthew Daly, Associated Press Matthew Daly, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/reflecting-pool-liner-was-cut-with-a-sharp-knife-or-razor-national-park-service-says Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Reflecting Pool liner was cut with a sharp knife or razor, National Park Service says Politics Jun 25, 2026 12:42 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — A liner along the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was cut with a sharp knife or razor this month, causing damage to the foam sealant installed as part of a $16 million rehabilitation project, a top official at the National Park Service says. The agency reported the June 9 incident to U.S. Park Police, said Frank Lands, deputy director of operations for the park service. Lands made the statement in a court document filed late Wednesday as part of a lawsuit filed by a nonprofit organization to halt the Trump administration's work on the project. READ MORE: Was the Reflecting Pool vandalized? Experts cast doubt on Trump's claims The police report indicates damage to the pool, "including a caulk over the foam sealant that was cut with a sharp knife or razor and destruction of delaminating surface material,'' Lands said. About 70 fence post tops also were thrown into the pool, he said. The statements mark the first time the Republican administration has offered specifics for when and how the Reflecting Pool may have been damaged after work on the project was substantially completed. President Donald Trump and other officials have repeatedly blamed, without evidence, unidentified vandals for peeling paint as well as a "350-foot gash" in the liner and other problems. Six people have been arrested, Trump said this week, without providing details. Trump pledged to beautify the century-old Reflecting Pool before the nation's 250th birthday celebrations, draining its water and directing the bottom to be painted a color he called "American flag blue." But since the site was restored, its water has been plagued by an algae bloom and pieces of the new coating have appeared to be peeling off the bottom. His administration faces a self-imposed deadline to complete the renovation before July Fourth. Trump also has said the federal government would release images to substantiate his claim. Trump said Wednesday that "sick people" had used razors and box cutters to slice portions of the lining. WATCH: Plagued by algae and peeling paint, Reflecting Pool set to undergo more repairs The U.S. Park Police posted surveillance footage Wednesday evening and asked for help "identifying the individual depicted here in connection with a Destruction of Government Property investigation." The grainy, 30-second video appears to show a person kneeling down, reaching into the reflecting pool and removing something from the water. Police said it was taken Friday afternoon. In his statement to the court, Lands said the parks agen