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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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The U.S. Park Police has released CCTV images and video from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as part of a "destruction of government property" investigation, as scrutiny grows over claims the newly renovated landmark was deliberately damaged.
The agency shared stills and footage on Wednesday from June 19 that appear to show an individual kneeling by the pool and reaching into the water around 3:30 p.m., but it did not describe the person as a suspect nor specify their gender.
Authorities said only that they are seeking to identify the individual in connection with the probe, adding, "Anyone with information regarding the identity of this individual is asked to contact the United States Park Police Tip Line: USPP_TIPline@nps.gov or (202) 379-4877."
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The release marks the first public footage tied to the investigation, after officials said images would be shared to support claims of damage—though authorities have not detailed findings or evidence backing the most serious allegations.
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Trump Says Pool Was 'Gruesomely Vandalized'
On Wednesday, Trump said the Reflecting Pool had been "gruesomely vandalized," adding that damage included cuts to the pool's lining and the use of chemicals.
He later told supporters he had since seen the site and that it already looked "perfect." Trump said those responsible had "largely been caught and are being prosecuted."
The president has also said the damage included a "350‑foot" gash in the pool's lining, which he said may have been cut with a knife or similar tool, while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has pointed to multiple arrests and police reports, describing the vandalism as "very real."
While authorities have now released images and video as part of an active investigation, the footage does not appear to show the types of damage the president described, and officials have not publicly disclosed evidence substantiating those specific claims about the scale or cause of the problems.
In a June 24 court filing, National Park Service Deputy Director Frank Lands said that damage to the pool included "caulk over the foam sealant that was cut with a sharp knife or razor and destruction of delaminating surface material," and that "approximately 70 fence post tops were thrown into the pool."
He added that officials plan to begin draining the reflecting pool after July 4 to carry out repairs and assess damage to its lining.
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Vandalism Claims Follow Pool Problems
The appeal adds a new development to a controversy that has been building since the Reflecting Pool reopened following a fast-tracked renovation Trump ordered earlier this year.
The president had called for the pool to be resurfaced in what he described as "American flag blue," saying the landmark had become dirty and neglected. By early June, the administration was presenting the project as effectively complete, but problems appeared within days. The water turned green amid algae blooms, and sections of the blue coating later appeared to peel from the basin floor.
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Within days of reopening, officials acknowledged algae growth and began using treatments to restore water clarity, while images from the site showed sections of coating lifting from the bottom and floating in the pool.
Administration officials have linked some of those issues to alleged vandalism, though the timing has drawn scrutiny, with visible problems emerging shortly after reopening.
The cause of the pool's problems remains disputed. Experts previously told Newsweek that algae growth and coating failure could be influenced by a range of factors, including residual algae, water conditions, surface temperature, trapped moisture, adhesion problems, chemical treatments and environmental stress.
Security around the landmark has also increased in recent days, with visitors warned they could face detention or citations for entering or interfering with the water. Earlier this week, fencing was installed around parts of the pool alongside a more visible law enforcement presence, including U.S. Park Police patrols.
The Interior Department previously told Newsweek: "The Reflecting Pool was always set to be fenced off ahead of the 4th of July. As in years prior, one of the launch pads for the fireworks is around the pool, so fencing is put up to ensure public safety. With the increase in vandalism by leftist activists, the fencing is going up earlier than originally planned to ensure no more damage is done to this historic site."
Democrats Demand Answers Over Reflecting Pool Project
Recently, Democratic lawmakers have intensified scrutiny of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation, calling for investigations into the project's cost, its contracting process and the administration's claims about what went wrong.
Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, the ranking member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, has launched a probe into the awarding of a no-bid contract to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, questioning both the company's qualifications and the rapid rise in project costs. In a letter, he warned the situation raised "troubling questions" about whether taxpayer funds were being diverted to "manifestly unqualified" associates. Blumenthal added that the public "deserves to know" how the contract was awarded.
Senator John Hickenlooper of Colorado has taken a more direct approach. In a June 24 statement, he urged President Donald Trump to personally reimburse taxpayers for what he described as a "failed renovation."
Writing after visiting the site, Hickenlooper called the renovation a "national embarrassment" and demanded a congressional investigation into the no-bid contracts, saying lawmakers must "follow every taxpayer dollar" and hold those responsible accountable.
In the House, Representative Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, has also demanded answers from contractors involved in the project. In letters to two firms, Garcia said the administration "skirted standard contracting practices" and raised concerns about "waste, fraud, and abuse" after reports of peeling paint and algae buildup. Garcia added that lawmakers were seeking documents to determine how the failures occurred.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Tobias Meyjes and Shakeema Edwards.
Update 6/25/26, 11:02 a.m. ET: This story was updated with additional details.
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