The story so far
- Trump Threatens Jail for Reflecting Pool VandalsYou are here
- Trump Says Reflecting Pool Is 85% Full After Repairs6 sourcesLatest
Updated 3d ago · Politics
Trump Threatens Jail for Reflecting Pool Vandals
President Donald Trump posted Monday that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is 70% filled and looking good. He said security cameras are installed and vandals will be jailed.
- Water began flowing back into the pool on Oct. 12.
- $1.5 million to $2 million was Trump's original cost estimate.
- Trump said a Radical Left person in Pirro's office got it wrong.
- Trump also claimed poisoned grass on the Mall spelled out 86 47.
Why it matters: Trump's account conflicts with his own Justice Department's findings. Prosecutors dropped a felony case against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn on July 31.
- Prosecutors cited Interior records pointing to flawed contractor installation.
- Judge Todd Edelman dismissed Hearn's case with prejudice on Oct. 1.
How 10 sources split on this story
Source landscape
Factuality
High
Mixed
Low
Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right
Political Bias
Coverage by lean
10 sources · 12 articles · 50% Left coverage
Where they split: Coverage divides over whether vandals or a rushed contractor installation caused the lining damage.
Center coverage, 4 sources: The center sees a renewed public rift between Trump and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office.
Newsweek5dTrump threatens Reflecting Pool "vandals" with jailThe Hill5dTrump says security cameras installed at Reflecting Pool, threatens to jail future vandalsWFLA News Channel 85dTrump says security cameras installed at Reflecting Pool, threatens to jail future vandalsWKBN Youngstown5dTrump says security cameras installed at Reflecting Pool, threatens to jail future vandals
Left coverage, 5 sources: The left sees Trump repeating a vandalism claim his own prosecutors rejected while attacking his Justice Department.
The Independent5dTrump dares vandals to damage his almost-refilled Lincoln Memorial Reflecting PoolRaw Story5d‘Go to jail!’ Enraged Trump threatens Reflecting Pool vandals as he trashes his own DOJAlterNet3d'Whims and lies': Trump drops $350k to boost claim 'vandals' are out for himMediaite5dTrump Hammers Pirro’s Office In Wild Screed On Reflecting Pool, Cites ‘Inspiring Jesse Watters ...Political Wire3dTrump Spends $343K On Cameras to Monitor His Projects
Right coverage, 1 sources: The right sees a president protecting a restored monument, with some noting prosecutors disputed the vandalism account.
What’s next: Fencing still surrounds parts of the basin as crews complete repairs. The National Park Service said the water may look cloudy while refilling.
- Hearn's lawyers asked Justice and Interior to open an independent investigation.
- What total cost will the restoration reach once repairs finish?
- What does the video Trump attached show, if anything, about vandalism?
View all