Knife Slashes At Lincoln Pool? Court Says Yes

Federal court documents now confirm what critics called a hoax — vandals used a sharp knife to slash the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool liner, and seven people have been arrested, including a former Olympic athlete.

Story Highlights

A court affidavit filed under oath says the pool liner was cut with a sharp knife or razor, and about 70 fence post tops were thrown into the water.
Seven people were arrested and seven federal citations were issued for vandalism at the pool, including former Olympian David Hearn.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum compared the damage to defacing the Lincoln statue itself, citing 18 police reports.
Some experts say algae and peeling paint are natural results of the renovation, not vandalism — but court filings back the criminal case.

Court Documents Back Vandalism Claims

A sworn court affidavit filed by Frank Lands, the National Park Service deputy director for operations, states that the pool liner was cut with a sharp knife or razor. U.S. Park Police first responded to a complaint on June 9, where officers documented cuts to foam sealant and destroyed surface material. The affidavit also records that about 70 fence post tops were thrown into the pool. This document was filed under penalty of perjury, giving it significant legal weight.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum put it plainly: damaging the Reflecting Pool is legally the same as throwing paint on the Lincoln statue. Burgum cited 18 separate police reports when making that comparison. The Park Service also released video footage showing a person sought for questioning in connection with a June 19 vandalism incident. Seven individuals now face federal citations, and the arrests signal that the administration is treating this as a serious federal crime.

Former Olympian Among Those Arrested

One of the seven people arrested is David Hearn, a former Olympic swimmer. Hearn’s attorney says his client only touched paint that was already peeling and did nothing to harm the pool. The lawyer argues the arrests amount to criminalizing ordinary behavior and calls the prosecution a distraction from what he describes as corrupt no-bid contracting behind the pool renovation. Hearn has denied any wrongdoing.

The number of arrests reported has shifted across outlets — some said five, others six, and the Department of the Interior confirmed seven. As of the holiday weekend, a NewsNation reporter found no confirmed court filings in the public record yet. That gap has given critics room to question the strength of the case. Still, the sworn affidavit filed this week is the clearest official evidence presented so far.

Algae Debate Clouds the Full Picture

Water experts told PBS News the green algae blooms are almost certainly natural. The pool is shallow, warm, still, and not chlorinated — perfect conditions for algae to grow on its own. Experts said it is “utterly impossible” for someone to contaminate a pool that large and see results in just hours. One scientist noted that adding fertilizer to such a massive body of water would simply be diluted away. The dark blue paint used in the renovation may have raised water temperatures, making the problem worse.

I truly don’t understand the mindset behind vandalizing it. Do you?

"The Reflecting Pool is magnificent!"

President Trump says the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has reopened after what he described as vandalism that damaged its waterproof lining.

In a Truth Social post,… pic.twitter.com/UPJx8euHrO

— Michelle Maxwell ™ (@MichelleMaxwell) June 30, 2026

The algae and peeling paint questions are real, but they are separate from the criminal vandalism case. A pool can suffer from both a bad renovation and deliberate damage at the same time. The court affidavit does not claim vandals caused the algae — it documents specific physical acts: a slashed liner and debris thrown into the water. Americans who love their national monuments should want both questions answered honestly. Sloppy renovation work and criminal vandalism both deserve accountability, and neither excuses the other.