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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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Visitors to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool are being warned they could face detention for touching the water, according to footage that appears to show authorities enforcing stricter rules at the historic site.
In footage published by Swedish broadcaster SVT, reporter Stina Blomgren briefly touches the surface of the Reflecting Pool. A National Guard member approaches her and warns: "Please refrain from touching the water. That will be the last time you do that—any time after that you will be detained."
“I was told by the National Guard I would be detained if I touched the water in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool,” Blomgren told Newsweek. “We were filming a news story for our TV station when the National Guard approached us and shouted that I should not touch the water.
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“One of the guards then told me she had seen me doing it twice—we had to do a retake—and that this was the last warning. If I did it again I would be detained."
Separate footage licensed to Freedom News TV appears to show another individual being issued a citation near the pool, reportedly after putting a hand in the water. Newsweek has not independently verified the circumstances surrounding the incident.
National Guard troops and U.S. Park Police have increased their presence at the Reflecting Pool following concerns about damage to the newly renovated landmark, including algae growth and reports of peeling lining.
President Donald Trump has blamed "vandalism" for the pool’s condition, claiming—without presenting evidence—that individuals may have introduced substances into the water.
"National Guardsmen continue to patrol at the request of our law enforcement partners in support of Make DC Safe and Beautiful. The safety of the public and support to our partner agencies remain our focus," a National Guard joint task force DC spokesperson told Newsweek.
Newsweek contacted the U.S. Park Police and National Park Service for comment.
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Who Has Been Charged So Far?
Recent enforcement actions have focused primarily on alleged damage to the Reflecting Pool rather than brief contact with the water. Authorities say some incidents have involved individuals interfering with or removing sections of the pool’s lining, which is treated as damage to government property.
Among the most high-profile cases is former Olympian David Hearn, who was arrested and charged with destruction of government property after allegedly reaching into the pool and removing part of its lining. He has said he was attempting to inspect what appeared to be loose material.
Other individuals have reportedly received citations related to activity around the site, though officials have not provided full details of all incidents or confirmed whether anyone has been cited solely for touching the water.
Are You Allowed To Touch the Reflecting Pool?
Federal regulations prohibit entering the Reflecting Pool, including wading, swimming or bathing, with violations potentially resulting in fines or citations.
While the rules do not explicitly mention brief contact with the water, officials have indicated that reaching into the pool or interfering with it may still lead to enforcement if it is considered damage or tampering with government property.
Separate federal provisions banning damage to government property have also become central in recent incidents, particularly in cases involving alleged disturbance or removal of the pool’s lining.
California Representative Ted Lieu, vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus, wrote in a post on X: "Dear @USNationalGuard: What laws, if any, are being violated if a person touches the water in the reflecting pool?"
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The stricter enforcement contrasts with the Reflecting Pool’s long history as a space where visitors have been able to interact directly with the water.
Archival images from major protests and public gatherings in the mid-20th century show demonstrators wading into the pool. That practice is now prohibited under federal regulations, but has contributed to a lasting perception of the space as publicly accessible.
Those images remain widely circulated and may help explain why some visitors assume limited contact—such as touching the water from the edge—is permitted, even as enforcement has tightened.
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‘Vandals Will Be Prosecuted’
The tougher enforcement stance has been reinforced by comments from U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, who said authorities intend to pursue cases aggressively.
Speaking on Fox News, Pirro said anyone "vandalizing or attempting to vandalize" the Reflecting Pool would face prosecution, adding that citations have already been issued and that more serious charges could follow if conditions worsen.
She also warned that introducing substances into the pool—an allegation made by Trump but not substantiated—could result in more serious charges.
Newsweek reached out to United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia via email for comment.
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Escalation Around a High-Profile Landmark
The Reflecting Pool, a central feature of the National Mall, has come under increased scrutiny following its recent renovation, which cost more than $14 million.
The combination of visible deterioration, viral attention and competing claims about vandalism has turned routine visitor behavior into a point of tension—now met with a more visible law enforcement presence.
Update 06/23/26 02:50 a.m. ET: This story was updated with additional comment from the DC National Guard, SVT reporter Stina Blomgren and new images and video.
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