U.S. Park Police are asking the public to help identify a person captured on surveillance camera as part of an investigation into damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. The incident occurred on a Friday at approximately 3:36 p.m., and police have released video footage showing the individual near the pool. The case centers on alleged destruction of federal government property following a high-profile renovation effort ordered by President Donald Trump.
What the Footage Shows
The video released by Park Police shows a person kneeling beside the Reflecting Pool and reaching an arm into the water. Investigators describe the individual as having dark hair and wearing a gray shirt, black shorts, and carrying a light-colored handbag. Police have not publicly identified the person and are seeking tips from anyone who recognizes them.
The investigation follows a series of arrests and citations that Trump and other officials said were made in connection with damage to the pool. David Hearn, identified as a U.S. Olympian, was among those publicly associated with the incident after a viral arrest, though he has denied vandalizing the pool.
The Backdrop: Trump's Reflecting Pool Makeover
The damage allegations arise in the context of a renovation Trump ordered to resurface the Reflecting Pool and dye the water a color he described as "American Flag Blue." The effort resulted in peeling paint, and algae discolored the water to what observers described as a swampy green — the opposite of the intended effect.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described the alleged vandalism in specific terms, saying that individuals appeared to have used a sharp instrument — a box cutter, razor, or knife — to cut into the newly applied surface and tear it up. He attributed the alleged damage to what he called "Trump Derangement Syndrome" and called for significant jail time for those responsible.
Officials Allege Wider Pattern of Damage
Trump also pointed to damage beyond the pool itself. He alleged that acid was poured on the surrounding grass on the National Mall, killing it, and said repairs to that area are underway. On separate occasions, the president speculated that fertilizer had been introduced into the water and later stated that chemicals had been "illegally placed" in the pool.
Park Police have not detailed how many individuals remain unidentified in connection with the investigation. Officials said some water will need to be drained from the pool to allow for repairs to the resurfaced interior. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are directing the public to contact them with any information that could help identify the person shown in the released footage.