safety
Trump claims vandals damaged DC Reflecting Pool, and says it will be drained again
By Willem Marx | NPR at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 22, 2026
· 4 min read
Visitors watch as National Park Service employees use vacuums to clean the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Washington.(Mark Schiefelbein / AP)
President Donald Trump has claimed that United States Park Police have made several arrests in connection with what he descr...
Key takeaway "The United States Park Police have arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nations magnificent Reflecting Pool," Trump wrote on Truth Social late Saturday evening.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
For Los Angeles residents, the alleged vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool may seem like a distant concern, but it raises questions about the security and maintenance of local landmarks. The city is home to numerous iconic public spaces, such as the Los Angeles River and the Griffith Observatory, which require significant investment to maintain and protect. The multimillion-dollar renovation of the Reflecting Pool, which was recently completed, highlights the importance of preserving national and local treasures. As the city of Los Angeles continues to invest in its own public spaces, the incident in Washington D.C. serves as a reminder to prioritize security measures and community engagement to prevent similar acts of vandalism. Furthermore, the incident may prompt local officials to review their own protocols for protecting public spaces and responding to incidents of vandalism, ensuring that Los Angeles' iconic landmarks remain safe and accessible for residents and visitors alike.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more The Los Angeles stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Visitors watch as National Park Service employees use vacuums to clean the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Washington.(Mark Schiefelbein / AP)
President Donald Trump has claimed that United States Park Police have made several arrests in connection with what he descr...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Willem Marx | NPR at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter