Trump says Reflecting Pool repairs will begin immediately after vandalism reports

President Trump said repair work on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will begin immediately following reports of vandalism and algae growth. The pool, which measures 2,030 feet between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation earlier this month that included a new coat of blue paint.

Sections of that paint have since peeled, and the water has turned green with algae.

A senior administration official told CBS News that five people were arrested for vandalism and five others received citations on Saturday night. Fourteen police reports were filed, including one describing a 250-foot gash in the pool's facade. U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro told Fox News that anyone found vandalizing the pool will face prosecution in D.C. courts.

Police arrested former Olympic canoeist David "Davey" Hearn on Friday and charged him with damaging the pool. Hearn told the BBC he only touched peeling paint and did not remove or destroy any part of it. He described the arrest as an "arbitrary, capricious prosecution" and said the pool's condition was unchanged when he left. Hearn told ABC News he "did not damage" anything.

George Mason University professor sampled the water on June 16 and identified the algae as Desmodesmus, describing it as "absolutely harmless" to people or animals. She noted that constant monitoring is required because birds could introduce other algae species carrying harmful bacteria.

A news photographer observed a dead duckling floating in the pool over the weekend, though the cause of death remains unclear.

Trump told reporters he inspected the pool and that work would begin immediately. Some outlets reported he indicated the pool would "probably" be drained for repairs.