The National Park Service is planning to drain the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and begin repairs following the Fourth of July celebration, according to new court filings.
The decision comes after vandalism caused significant damage to the pool, with perpetrators ripping out the blue sealant and pouring corrosive chemicals into the water.
The Trump Administration has announced that six people have been arrested and seven have been cited for the damage, with the President stating that the vandals will face 10 years in prison for their actions.
A preservation group had previously sued the Trump Administration to block renovation of the pool, arguing that the new blue coating would alter the visual character of the pool and surrounding landscape.
However, the National Park Service argues that the recent vandalism and algae bloom in the pool reinforce their initial lawsuit, citing evidence that the sealant at the bottom of the pool was cut with a sharp knife or razor and that 70 fence post tops were thrown into the pool.
The National Park Service is now asking for help in identifying one vandal who was seen in surveillance video allegedly destroying and removing a piece of the lining and attempting destruction of the lining.
Meanwhile, the Trump Administration has faced accusations of lying about the vandalism, with Democrats and left-wing media attempting to claim that the damage was caused by contractors and a failed renovation.
The Interior Department has released surveillance tapes of the vandalism, which show large portions of the bottom of the pool being ripped out.
President Trump has responded to the accusations, stating that the evidence will be presented in court and that the public can contact the Parks Department or Department of Interior for more information.
