The National Park Service plans to drain the National Mall’s reflecting pool once again after Independence Day to repair damage allegedly caused by vandals, according to court documents released by the Trump Administration on Thursday.
The filing, submitted in federal court, includes a declaration from National Park Service Deputy Director for Operations Frank Lands detailing what officials described as deliberate damage to the iconic reflecting pool on June 9.
According to Lands, U.S. Park Police responded after receiving reports of vandalism at the recently renovated site. The damage included caulk being spread over foam sealant that had been sliced with a “sharp knife or razor,” destruction of sections of the pool’s surface lining, and approximately 70 fence post caps that had been thrown into the water.
Lands said the National Park Service will drain the reflecting pool after the Independence Day celebrations so crews can inspect and repair the damage, including “assessing and repairing any damage to the lining.”
The repairs come just weeks after the reflecting pool reopened following more than two months of renovations ordered by President Donald Trump.
The timing is particularly significant as Washington, D.C., prepares to host hundreds of thousands of visitors for Independence Day festivities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Federal officials said the reflecting pool vandalism is part of a broader pattern of incidents on the National Mall that has complicated preparations for the historic celebration.
Reflecting Pool vandalism: Police release footage of suspect seen dipping hand into water pic.twitter.com/ScB9Pc6Uqa
— New York Post (@nypost) June 25, 2026
Among those incidents were multiple “8647” graffiti markings discovered on National Mall property and a message reportedly written in blood on the Washington Monument.
The administration has argued that the number “8647” should be viewed as a political threat. Officials note that “86” is commonly used as slang for getting rid of or eliminating something, while “47” is understood to refer to Trump as the nation’s 47th president.
The court filing was submitted as part of ongoing litigation involving security measures and conditions on the National Mall ahead of the July 4 celebrations.
"They caught them."
President Trump says the vandals accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool have been caught, alleging they used a box cutter or other sharp object to slash the newly restored pool and dumped fertilizer into the water.
Speaking during the White… pic.twitter.com/xyL7kjYNeG
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 25, 2026
