The ongoing saga involving Washington, DC's iconic Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has entered a new chapter as the attraction has been drained for repairs.
Tourists visiting the nation's capital this summer should be aware that there's currently no timetable for the pool's reopening.
Trump Reveals Next Steps for Reflecting Pool
"We drained the beautiful 'Reflecting Pool' today in order to fix the scars and damage that was done by the Vandals two weeks ago. We wanted to wait until after the July 4th Weekend," President Donald Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Monday night.
"The slashes were 300 yards long, and the floor of the pool was cut and then pulled upward, with great force, by these thugs," he added. "The Parks Department had to empty the water in order to fix the water tight basin."
"It will be refilled and put back into service soon," the president said.
Project Plagued With Problems
The White House kicked off efforts to revitalize the popular DC attraction back in April ahead of America 250 and Fourth of July festivities, but algae turned the water a fluorescent green and caused a putrid odor shortly after the $14.7 million repairs were completed.
According to USA Today, Atlantic Industrial Coatings of Virginia will once again handle the renovations.
Adding to the pool's troublesome revamp, pieces of the new surface began to break off, with Trump accusing vandals of damaging the pool. However, officials have yet to provide evidence that the pool was vandalized.
The latest repairs will also clean up debris from Fourth of July fireworks, according to officials.
"Drain the water, clean up the fireworks stuff,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said during a recent podcast appearance. "Repair the vandalism that was done. Fill it back up again."
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