Reflecting Pool liner was cut with a sharp knife or razor, National Park Service says

Key Points:

• A liner at the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was cut with a sharp knife or razor on June 9, damaging the foam sealant from a $16 million renovation project, according to the National Park Service.
• The damage included cuts to the caulk over the foam sealant and destruction of surface material, with about 70 fence post tops also thrown into the pool, but no suspects have been identified.
• President Trump has blamed unidentified vandals for the damage and peeling paint, claiming "sick people" used razors and box cutters, while six arrests have been announced without details.
• The Park Service plans to drain the pool after Independence Day celebrations to assess and repair the damage, amid ongoing criticism and calls for investigations into no-bid contracts and project management.
• Congressional Democrats and advocacy groups have condemned the renovation as a waste of taxpayer money and urged for accountability and transparency regarding the project's failures.