During an interview on Fox News, Leavitt revealed that authorities have arrested at least five people in connection with the alleged vandalism of the pool. There have been 14 police reports filed for vandalism, the official added. Leavitt, who went on maternity leave in late April and gave birth to her daughter in early May, has not returned to her duties in the White House Briefing Room, but she did provide more information on the situation in D.C. The discussion began when host Sean Hannity detailed President Donald Trump’s plan to restore the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. After the project was completed, algae began to grow in the pool. The Trump administration has accused critics of sabotaging the project. Agitators have been appearing at the Reflecting Pool, with some carrying signs in favor of the algae that has destroyed Trump’s project.
“Well, the baby is certainly much more enjoyable to talk about, Sean, but the algae is obviously the news of the day, and it is completely ridiculous,” Leavitt told Hannity. “It’s unbelievable to see these people, these deranged leftists, in algae costumes with ‘team algae’ on their backs. What does that even mean?” she remarked. “Only the Democrats could hate beautifying our nation’s capital and making it a symbol of pride again, but this is what the American people elected President Trump to do,” she continued. Leavitt concluded, “He made this promise to them on the campaign trail. The president approved this. He promised that he was going to make our nation’s capital both safe and beautiful again, and it is a promise that he has kept.”
Olympic Canoeist Among Those Arrested
Among the arrests was former U.S. Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn, who told NBC News he was detained five hours on Friday after touching a piece of detached coating at the Reflecting Pool. Trump said over the weekend, after a meeting with contractors at Camp David, that the Reflecting Pool will likely need to be drained again. Marine One was seen flying over the area Sunday, and Trump said he had “inspected” the Reflecting Pool. Trump, on Monday morning, reiterated his allegations of the Reflecting Pool being under siege ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday.
The protest also renewed attention on how officials protect heavily visited public landmarks while preserving access for demonstrations. The Reflecting Pool is both a symbolic site and a managed public space, so even a small disturbance can create practical concerns involving water quality, coatings, maintenance crews, and visitor safety. Officials must distinguish between protected expression and conduct that damages or interferes with the site.
The response will likely be measured through arrest records, maintenance reports, and the condition of the pool after inspection. Those details can clarify what occurred more reliably than short clips circulating online. They will also shape decisions about temporary closures, repairs, and security ahead of large public events in Washington.
Any repair plan will also have to account for the pools age, its operating systems, and the heavy visitor traffic around the Lincoln Memorial. A clear public explanation of the damage and the work required would help residents understand why access may be limited and how long restoration could take.
