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At least five people arrested in alleged tampering of Reflecting Pool, official says
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- At least five individuals have been arrested and five others cited in connection with alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, following President Trump's claims of damage.
- Among those arrested is former U.S. Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn, who was detained after reportedly touching a piece of detached coating from the pool.
- President Trump has threatened long prison terms for offenders, citing a 10-year sentence for destruction or attempted destruction of such national monuments.
- Trump has claimed, without evidence, that vandals caused a 250- to 300-foot-long gash in the pool's facade and illegally placed chemicals in the water, and he indicated the pool may need to be drained again.
- No evidence has emerged to support some of Trump's claims, such as damage to grass near the pool with an “8647” message, and social media postings have not verified these allegations.
