Burgum Says Lincoln Reflecting Pool Vandalism Began June 9 After Trump Ordered Restoration
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 7
Burgum Says Lincoln Reflecting Pool Vandalism Began June 9 After Trump Ordered Restoration
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 7
Summary
June 9 marked the start of vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said, adding officials kept the early damage quiet to avoid copycat attacks.
Burgum said the pool initially had few or no cameras because it had never been targeted before, but the Interior Department later installed mobile camera towers that captured subsequent activity.
He linked the attacks to President Donald Trump's order to restore and repaint the pool, saying it became a "point of attack" once Trump moved to beautify it.
The pool damage fits a broader pattern of vandalism on the National Mall, including multiple "8647" markings and a blood-written message on the Washington Monument, as Washington prepares for America's 250th anniversary.