Leavitt returned to the public spotlight to discuss the situation surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which the Trump administration had restored as part of its effort to beautify the nation’s capital. Leavitt went on maternity leave in late April and gave birth to her daughter in early May, but has not yet returned to her duties in the White House Briefing Room.
Agitators have been appearing at the Reflecting Pool, with some carrying signs in favor of the algae that has destroyed the restoration project. During an interview with host Sean Hannity, Leavitt characterized the protesters as extreme. “It’s unbelievable to see these people, these deranged leftists, in algae costumes with ‘team algae’ on their backs. What does that even mean?” she remarked.
Among the arrests was former U.S. Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn, who told NBC News he was detained for five hours on Friday after touching a piece of detached coating at the Reflecting Pool. The $14.8 million restoration project has sparked outrage from Democratic lawmakers and Washington residents who have descended on the National Mall to inspect the pool.
Leavitt defended the Trump administration’s restoration efforts during her Fox News segment. “Only the Democrats could hate beautifying our nation’s capital and making it a symbol of pride again, but this is what the American people elected President Trump to do,” she continued. “He made this promise to them on the campaign trail. The president approved this. He promised that he was going to make our nation’s capital both safe and beautiful again, and it is a promise that he has kept.”
President Trump said over the weekend, after a meeting with contractors at Camp David, that the Reflecting Pool will likely need to be drained again. Marine One was seen flying over the area on Sunday, and Trump said he had “inspected” the Reflecting Pool.
Trump reiterated his allegations on Monday morning, writing on Truth Social: “Chemicals have been dumped illegally into the water. The Reflecting Pool has been torn open with a 300-foot-long gash. Please remember that there is a 10-year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things — Which will be fully enforced!” Later on Monday afternoon, Trump told reporters it was a “350-foot slit from one end to the other.” “I saw it. They cut it. They cut it very violently,” he said.
When a reporter asked to see photos, Trump said, “You’ll see it in court, but all you have to do is call the parks department, call the Department of Interior.”
The controversy surrounding the Reflecting Pool has drawn responses from both sides of the political divide. During an appearance on CNN, Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell said her constituents are “outraged” by the algae.
The president has vowed to keep cleaning up the nation’s capital despite efforts from Democrats and leftists to stop him. The situation represents an ongoing point of contention as the nation approaches its 250th birthday and the Trump administration continues its restoration agenda for Washington’s iconic landmarks.
