Caulking in Reflecting Pool was cut and tops of fence posts tossed in water, court filing says

Several days after the incident, the Interior Department spokesperson said, there were recurring cases and videos of people ripping at the coating.

Published: June 26, 2026 7:42am

Details of the alleged vandalism to the recently refurbished Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. were revealed in a court filing. 

According to Deputy Director for the National Park Service Frank Lands, the incident took place shortly after the resurfaced pool was filled again with water on June 9, ABC News reported

"The U.S. Park Police responded to an NPS report of damage to the reflecting pool, including a caulk over the foam sealant that was cut with a sharp knife or razor and destruction of delaminating surface material. In addition, approximately 70 fence post tops were thrown into the pool," Lands said in a declaration. 

An Interior Department spokesperson said the vandalism is believed to be an isolated incident, and details weren't disclosed in order to prevent "deranged individuals" from copycatting the crime. Several days after the incident, the spokesperson said, there were recurring cases and videos of people ripping at the coating. 

"We then knew this was not an isolated incident, but a new trend to attempt to damage the Reflecting Pool," the spokesperson told ABC. 

As of Thursday afternoon, there have been seven arrests, seven federal citations and 18 police reports filed related to intentional damage to the pool, according to the Interior Department. 

 

 

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