Story perspectives

Guard Patrols Lincoln Pool; 67-Year-Old Arrested, Trump Blames Chemicals

6/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

National Guard has patrolled the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool walkways for two days.
David Hearn, 67, was arrested by U.S. Park Police near the pool on a destruction-of-government-property charge after he told The Washington Post he only touched a flapping liner piece that remained attached.
President Donald Trump claimed chemicals vandalized the pool, although specialist John Wilson Jr. said algae blooms are normal in stagnant fresh water without filtration.

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Story summary

National Guard has patrolled the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool walkways for two days.
David Hearn, 67, was arrested by U.S. Park Police near the pool on a destruction-of-government-property charge after he told The Washington Post he only touched a flapping liner piece that remained attached.
President Donald Trump claimed chemicals vandalized the pool, although specialist John Wilson Jr. said algae blooms are normal in stagnant fresh water without filtration.