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A senior National Park Service official has formally stated in federal court that the agency documented intentional damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool weeks before President Donald Trump publicly blamed vandals for problems with the recently renovated landmark.
In a court declaration filed Thursday, National Park Service Deputy Director for Operations Frank Lands said park officials reported evidence of deliberate vandalism to the U.S. Park Police on June 9, shortly after the $14.7 million rehabilitation project was substantially completed.
The filing marks the first public court testimony from a federal official describing intentional damage to the Reflecting Pool and comes as the Trump administration defends the renovation in ongoing litigation.
Court Filing Details Alleged Damage
According to Lands’ sworn declaration, investigators found portions of the pool’s protective seal had been intentionally cut.
“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 wrote.
He also stated that approximately 70 fence post tops had been thrown into the Reflecting Pool.
Lands, who became the National Park Service’s deputy director for operations in 2023, said he has personal knowledge of the events described in the declaration and is prepared to testify in court if necessary.
The filing does not describe the evidence investigators collected or identify any suspects responsible for the alleged damage.
Repairs Delayed Until After Independence Day
The declaration was submitted as part of a lawsuit filed by the Cultural Landscape Foundation challenging the Interior Department over the Reflecting Pool renovation, including the controversial blue sealant selected during the Trump administration’s restoration project.
Lands said the National Park Service now plans to drain and repair the Reflecting Pool after Independence Day celebrations rather than before, delaying work to avoid disrupting holiday events on the National Mall.
Trump Maintains Vandals Are Responsible
President Trump has repeatedly argued that vandalism—not construction flaws—is responsible for the damage visible after the rehabilitation project.
Earlier this week, Trump told reporters that evidence supporting his claims would eventually become public during court proceedings.
“You’ll see it in court,” Trump said. “All you have to do is call the Parks Department, call the Department of Interior.”
The president has previously claimed vandals created what he described as a 350-foot gash in the pool’s protective coating.
The renovated Reflecting Pool has also experienced recurring algae growth since the project was completed, prompting questions from critics about whether the resurfacing itself contributed to the deterioration.
Arrests Made, Evidence Still Unreleased
According to the U.S. Park Police, at least five people have been arrested in connection with alleged vandalism involving the Reflecting Pool, while another five individuals have received federal citations.
Authorities have not publicly released evidence linking those individuals to the reported damage, nor have investigators disclosed what role—if any—the alleged vandalism played in the peeling coating or algae problems that emerged after the renovation.
Legal Battle Continues
The court filing represents a significant development in the lawsuit over the Reflecting Pool renovation, as it provides the first sworn government testimony asserting that deliberate vandalism occurred.
However, the broader dispute over whether the pool’s deterioration resulted primarily from criminal damage, construction issues, or environmental factors remains unresolved and is expected to continue through federal court proceedings.
