The President of the United States, Donald Trump, reported this Tuesday the arrest of six people and the issuance of citations against another seven, whom he holds responsible for causing cracks in the reflecting pool of the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, breaks that would have favored the massive appearance of algae.
"Six people have been arrested and seven have received citations for the damage caused to our country's now beautiful reflecting pool. The 107-meter fissure, made with a very sharp knife or razors, actually consists of numerous cuts along 107 meters. It was a deliberate and criminal act, and someone had to work hard, probably in the darkness of the night, to cause such damage," he assured on his social networks.
The White House tenant added that "a small area of the bottom" of the facility "was cut and forcefully lifted, leaving irregular edges."
Trump, who pointed out that the "large" grassy area is being replaced, indicated that, despite the damage, the reflecting pool "looks as beautiful as it can," before specifying that they will empty part of the water "just before or after July 4th, to carry out the definitive repair."
The president had previously promoted a rehabilitation plan for the pool, budgeted at about 14 million dollars, for the country's 250th anniversary celebrations. The project included painting the bottom blue so that it would better reflect the surrounding monuments. However, shortly after its inauguration, the water turned greenish due to the proliferation of algae, forcing teams of workers and contractors to clean the area for several days and use hydrogen peroxide for its treatment.