Interior Secretary Doug Burgum recently discussed the vandalism at the National Mall’s Reflecting Pool with podcast host Katie Miller. This conversation was featured on “The Katie Miller Podcast,” released Tuesday. Miller, who is the wife of President Donald Trump’s advisor Stephen Miller, raised the issue of how the vandalism of the Reflecting Pool dates back to early June.

During their discussion, Miller expressed her curiosity regarding security at the pool. She questioned, “There’s a lot of cameras on the pool. There’s a lot of National Guard. How did somebody cut it and us not know who cut it?”

Burgum responded, “We had very few or no cameras initially because we have cameras all over our monuments. The Reflecting Pool is part of the Lincoln Memorial, but there had never been vandalism on this helpless, harmless Reflecting Pool before.”

Miller noted that the issue began after President Trump decided to beautify the pool, leading to its designation as a point of attack by vandals. Burgum acknowledged that the situation escalated with vandalism activities starting as early as June 9. However, these incidents were initially unpublicized to prevent encouraging further vandalism.

The vandalism pattern coincided with Trump’s orders for a restoration and repainting of the Reflecting Pool. This initiative attracted criticism and protests, which resulted in multiple instances of vandalism. Among them were “8647” markings, a blood-written message on the Washington Monument, and damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Burgum highlighted the White House’s response, stating that mobile camera stations and towers were deployed, capturing some secondary activities related to the vandalism. Efforts have improved camera coverage to mitigate further damage.

Miller’s full interview with Burgum will be available for listeners at 6 p.m. ET. This conversation sheds light on the federal response to recent acts of vandalism amid preparations for America’s 250th anniversary.