President Trump acknowledged that rushed contractor work caused some damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool but continued to accuse former Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn of vandalism. Trump cited a National Park Service employee who he says witnessed Hearn tearing the pool liner and noted security cameras are being installed. The Justice Department moved to dismiss vandalism charges after documents pointed to a botched installation by contractor Atlantic Industrial Coatings, and Park Police video has not conclusively shown who caused the damage.
Trump Acknowledges Contractor Error at Lincoln Memorial Pool, Continues to Blame Ex‑Olympian
Trump Admits 'Some Contractor Error' Damaged Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Still Blames Ex-Olympian For Vandalism
President Donald Trump acknowledged that contractors were responsible for some of the damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, while continuing to assert that former Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn deliberately vandalized the site.
What Trump Said
In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said a National Park Service career employee had allegedly witnessed Hearn "violently" ripping and tugging at the pool's "somewhat delicate coating" in broad daylight. Trump described that Park Service worker as a "highly credible witness" and said the employee testified to the U.S. Attorney's Office in early July.
"As with many jobs, there was also some contractor error done by rushing the job for a July 4th opening," Trump wrote, calling the affected area "very small" and "relatively inconsequential."
He also alleged that an "acid-like material" had been used on newly installed grass beside the pool, where the numbers "86 47" had been written; Trump suggested the phrase was "probably gotten from James Comey."
Investigations and Evidence
Earlier this month, the Justice Department concluded that a flawed installation caused the reflecting pool liner to peel. The DOJ later moved to dismiss vandalism charges against Hearn after documents and contractor records indicated a rushed, botched installation by Atlantic Industrial Coatings.
Trump has shared Park Police footage showing people at the site, but the video does not clearly establish whether those individuals caused the damage or arrived after sections of lining had already peeled. Trump has said some incidents lack video evidence "other than the damage itself."
The National Park Service and federal prosecutors reviewed witness statements and contractor documents as part of their inquiry. Trump said security cameras "have been, and are being, installed" at the pool and that repairs are underway.
Where Things Stand
The public controversy continues: Trump combines an admission of contractor mistakes with renewed accusations against a previously charged individual, while the Justice Department's move to dismiss charges against Hearn points to installation failures by the contractor. Officials have not produced public evidence that conclusively ties any individual to deliberate vandalism.
Key facts: contractors admitted to some installation errors; federal prosecutors dismissed vandalism charges against Hearn after contractor documents surfaced; Park Police footage remains inconclusive; repairs and additional security measures are ongoing.
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