Reflecting Pool liner was cut with knife or razor, National Park Service official says in court filing

Reflecting Pool liner was cut with knife or razor, National Park Service official says in court filing

Reflecting Pool liner was cut – Washington — A National Park Service deputy director has testified in a court filing that the agency identified damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, attributed to a sharp knife, two weeks prior. Frank Lands, who serves as the deputy director for operations, stated that the park service reported the incident to the U.S. Park Police on June 9, 2026. This declaration marks the first public documentation of intentional damage to the pool, following President Trump’s assertion that the peeling surface of the renovated project was the work of vandals. The president had previously called for evidence in court to support his claim of a 350-foot gash in the pool’s coating, insisting that the National Park Service or the Interior Department would present proof of the alleged vandalism.

Details of the Damage

Lands, who assumed his current role in 2023, detailed in the filing that the U.S. Park Police were alerted to the damage after the rehabilitation project had reached a significant stage of completion. According to his account, the incident involved a caulk layer applied over foam sealant that was severed by a sharp object, likely a knife or razor, and the destruction of surface materials that had begun to delaminate. Additionally, he noted that approximately 70 fence post tops were thrown into the pool, further complicating the situation. The official emphasized that he has personal knowledge of these facts and is prepared to testify in court if required.

The pool, a central feature of the Lincoln Memorial, has been a subject of controversy since the recent renovation. Trump had publicly accused vandals of damaging the project’s sealant, which he claimed caused the peeling surface. His comments came amid a broader dispute over the finished work, which cost $14.7 million to complete. The president’s frustration with the pool’s condition has been evident in recent statements, as he sought to shift blame away from the renovation process itself and onto alleged perpetrators.

The National Park Service’s Response

While the National Park Service has confirmed the damage, the specifics of the evidence they possess remain unclear. Lands stated in the filing that the agency intends to begin draining and repairing the pool after the Independence Day celebrations, rather than before. This timeline suggests that the pool’s restoration efforts are being prioritized for the holiday period, possibly to avoid further disruptions or to manage public perception. The delay in addressing the damage has sparked questions about the agency’s preparedness and the urgency of the repairs.

Lands’ declaration was submitted as part of the Cultural Landscape Foundation’s lawsuit against the Interior Department, which challenges the president’s claim regarding the pool’s paint job. The foundation alleges that the renovation process, which included the application of a new sealant, was not adequately documented or explained, leading to confusion about the cause of the damage. The lawsuit highlights the importance of transparency in public projects, especially those of historical significance.

Trump’s Claims and the Evidence

During an exchange with CBS News senior White House correspondent Ed O’Keefe earlier this week, President Trump reiterated his belief that vandals, not other issues with the renovation, were responsible for the damage. He confidently asserted that the evidence would be revealed in court, urging the public to contact the Parks Department or the Interior Department for more information. “You’ll see it in court,” he said, “but all you have to do is call the Parks Department, call the Department of Interior.”

“On June 9, 2026, after the rehabilitation project was substantially complete, the U.S. Park Police responded to an NPS report of damage to the reflecting pool, including a caulk over the foam sealant that was cut with a sharp knife or razor and destruction of delaminating surface material,” Lands said in the court filing. “In addition, approximately 70 fence post tops were thrown into the pool.”

Despite the official’s statements, the National Park Service has not yet released detailed evidence of the damage. The agency’s current plan involves draining the pool and initiating repairs after the Independence Day festivities, a decision that has raised eyebrows among critics. The delay in action has led to speculation about whether the damage was intentional or the result of other factors, such as wear and tear or environmental conditions.

The pool’s condition has also been affected by a resurgence of algae, which has been a persistent issue in recent months. This development adds another layer to the debate over the renovation’s success and the extent of the damage. While the algae problem is not directly linked to the vandalism claims, it underscores the challenges faced by the National Park Service in maintaining the pool’s pristine state.

Arrests and Citations

According to the U.S. Park Police, at least five individuals have been arrested on suspicion of vandalizing the Reflecting Pool, while five additional people received federal citations. These actions indicate that law enforcement has taken the incident seriously, though the details of the evidence remain undisclosed. The Park Police have not provided further information on the specific circumstances of the arrests or citations, leaving the public with only partial clarity about the event.

Lands’ filing, which includes the accounts of the damage, has been a key part of the legal proceedings. However, the lack of released evidence has fueled skepticism about the National Park Service’s case. The agency’s ability to prove the damage was intentional, rather than the result of accidental or natural causes, will be crucial in the upcoming trial. The timing of the repairs, coupled with the arrests, has drawn attention to the potential for deliberate acts of vandalism during the renovation period.

The controversy surrounding the Reflecting Pool has broader implications for the National Park Service and the Interior Department. As the lawsuit progresses, the agencies will need to demonstrate not only the extent of the damage but also the certainty of its origin. The outcome of this case could influence public trust in the management of the pool and set a precedent for similar incidents in the future. Until the evidence is fully presented, the debate over whether the damage was caused by vandals or other factors will continue to shape the narrative around the Lincoln Memorial’s iconic feature.

With the Independence Day deadline looming, the National Park Service faces the challenge of balancing public expectations with the need to provide conclusive evidence. The agency’s decision to delay repairs until after the holiday may be a strategic move to ensure the pool is restored to its best condition for visitors, but it also raises questions about the immediacy of the damage’s impact. As the court proceedings unfold, the facts surrounding the incident will be scrutinized closely, with the potential to reshape the understanding of the project’s challenges and the role of external factors in its outcome.