Recent renovations at Washington’s Reflecting Pool have encountered issues, with paint peeling off after an upgrade initiated by President Donald Trump.

Trump claimed vandalism had occurred, stating on his social media platform, “We’ve had some real problems with vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool.” He alleged intentional damage, mentioning that grass outside the Pool was destroyed recently and efforts were made to damage the newly installed surface. However, he did not provide any details to support these assertions.

Agencies responsible for law enforcement and maintenance on the National Mall, including the U.S. Park Police, National Park Service, and Interior Department, did not immediately respond to inquiries.

As visitors observed, National Park Service workers used vacuums to clean the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The Washington Post reported that Park Police arrested someone accused of peeling paint from the pool, yet this act alone does not account for the algae presence and loose blue paint noted in the pool.

Trump maintained that something underhanded was occurring, likening it to previous incidents with chemicals on the National Mall, posting, “No different than the chemicals that were used on the National Mall, they’ve used something similar in the Reflecting Pool to try to destroy and demean our beautiful work.”

A prior discovery of large numbers “86 47” etched in discolored grass raised concerns. Authorities suggested these could symbolize a threat to Trump, the 47th president, with the number 86 being slang for “getting rid of.” Investigations are ongoing.

Federal workers have applied chemicals to treat the algae. Despite efforts, the pool’s blue paint bottom saw portions detached, revealing its rocky substrate.