{"id":729428,"date":"2026-06-27T15:27:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T15:27:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/729428\/"},"modified":"2026-06-27T15:27:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T15:27:18","slug":"a-reflecting-pool-that-has-long-enticed-visitors-now-gains-police-scrutiny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/729428\/","title":{"rendered":"A Reflecting Pool that has long enticed visitors now gains police scrutiny"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is many things.<\/p>\n<p>Murky. Peaceful. Stinky. The backdrop for protests, vigils, celebrations and stunning sunrise photos. Beset by gnats and algae. Scenery for a run. A key part of the capital\u2019s carefully designed monumental core. The location of an iconic scene in \u201cForrest Gump.\u201d <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"The Lincoln Memorial is reflected in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Friday, June 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Carolyn Kaster)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782574034_439_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n                    The Lincoln Memorial is reflected in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Friday, June 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Carolyn Kaster)\n                <\/p>\n<p>The Lincoln Memorial is reflected in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Friday, June 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Carolyn Kaster)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Kevin Conley looks through a chain link fence at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial, Friday, June 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Carolyn Kaster)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782574035_37_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n                    Kevin Conley looks through a chain link fence at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial, Friday, June 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Carolyn Kaster)\n                <\/p>\n<p>Kevin Conley looks through a chain link fence at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial, Friday, June 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Carolyn Kaster)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>One thing it\u2019s generally not: a strictly enforced police zone.<\/p>\n<p>Entering the pool has always been illegal, but, in general, the most someone wading into the water might expect is a direction from a police officer to get out. <\/p>\n<p>But that has changed since President Donald Trump insisted last weekend, without providing evidence, that vandals were responsible for damage to the pool\u2019s liner, undermining his renovation efforts after he blamed previous presidents for ignoring deterioration. Court documents <a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/reflecting-pool-liner-cut-national-park-service-trump-98e11bfcb5899753c79bf55698dc958f\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">filed this week show<\/a> that the <a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.dcd.292242\/gov.uscourts.dcd.292242.22.1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">National Park Service reported to the U.S. Park Police<\/a> a June 9 incident in which a sharp knife or razor cut the pool\u2019s new liner.<\/p>\n<p>National Guard members and Park Police have patrolled the deck around the pool. The Associated Press verified that <a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/reflecting-pool-trump-algae-coating-a41bbf59575f221d28e70452d0757f78\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">one man was arrested<\/a> after touching the already-peeling paint. He said he wanted to examine the new coating, briefly touching a still-attached chunk, then letting go shortly after a park worker told him to. At one point this week, crews were seen adding fencing near the area, which the administration attributed to preparations for July Fourth celebrations. <\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a look at photos of how people have interacted with the Reflecting Pool over the years.<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-ac0000\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Martin Zich, of Prague, Czech Republic, wades out of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall in Washington after going in to take photographs, May 31, 2016. (AP Photo\/Andrew Harnik, File)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782574036_450_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Martin Zich, of Prague, Czech Republic, wades out of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall in Washington after going in to take photographs, May 31, 2016. (AP Photo\/Andrew Harnik, File)<\/p>\n<p>Martin Zich, of Prague, Czech Republic, wades out of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall in Washington after going in to take photographs, May 31, 2016. (AP Photo\/Andrew Harnik, File)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>The scrutiny belies the fact that the Reflecting Pool has always been enticing to visitors. <\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-040000\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Many supporters of the Poor People's Campaign wade into the Reflecting Pool during the Solidarity Day program at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington June 19, 1968. (AP Photo)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"419\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782574036_520_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Many supporters of the Poor People\u2019s Campaign wade into the Reflecting Pool during the Solidarity Day program at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington June 19, 1968. (AP Photo)<\/p>\n<p>Many supporters of the Poor People\u2019s Campaign wade into the Reflecting Pool during the Solidarity Day program at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington June 19, 1968. (AP Photo)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>During the Poor People\u2019s Campaign in 1968, the pool offered relief from the summer heat.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"The Lincoln Memorial is visible as Dan DeMocker, of Takoma Park, Md., slides pieces of ice toward his family as he ice skates on the frozen Reflecting Pool on the National Mall in Washington, Dec. 26, 2022. (AP Photo\/Andrew Harnik, File)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782574037_187_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n                    The Lincoln Memorial is visible as Dan DeMocker, of Takoma Park, Md., slides pieces of ice toward his family as he ice skates on the frozen Reflecting Pool on the National Mall in Washington, Dec. 26, 2022. (AP Photo\/Andrew Harnik, File)\n                <\/p>\n<p>The Lincoln Memorial is visible as Dan DeMocker, of Takoma Park, Md., slides pieces of ice toward his family as he ice skates on the frozen Reflecting Pool on the National Mall in Washington, Dec. 26, 2022. (AP Photo\/Andrew Harnik, File)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Washington residents Nanette Witter helps her younger sister, Dorinda, as they skate on Washington's frozen Reflecting Pool with the Lincoln Memorial in the background, on Jan. 10, 1968. (AP Photo\/Charles Tasnadi)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"374\" height=\"599\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782574037_460_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n                    Washington residents Nanette Witter helps her younger sister, Dorinda, as they skate on Washington&#8217;s frozen Reflecting Pool with the Lincoln Memorial in the background, on Jan. 10, 1968. (AP Photo\/Charles Tasnadi)\n                <\/p>\n<p>Washington residents Nanette Witter helps her younger sister, Dorinda, as they skate on Washington&#8217;s frozen Reflecting Pool with the Lincoln Memorial in the background, on Jan. 10, 1968. (AP Photo\/Charles Tasnadi)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>And during the bitter cold of winter, it has become an unlikely urban skating rink. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"People walk along the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jon Elswick)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782574038_396_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n                    People walk along the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jon Elswick)\n                <\/p>\n<p>People walk along the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jon Elswick)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"National Guard members are reflected in the water as they stand near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Monday, June 22, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782574038_580_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n                    Air Force veteran David Stanton takes a photo of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial from behind a chain link fence Friday, June 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Carolyn Kaster)\n                <\/p>\n<p>Air Force veteran David Stanton takes a photo of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial from behind a chain link fence Friday, June 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Carolyn Kaster)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>Now, it is home to mobile surveillance towers and increased law enforcement foot patrols, while the hum of nanobubblers punctuates the June air. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is many things. Murky. Peaceful. Stinky. The backdrop for protests,&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":729429,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[23,2302,3506,3505,12,793,1576,3,3775,267317,795,21,19,22,20,25,24,800],"class_list":["post-729428","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-united-states","tag-america","tag-courts","tag-dc-wire","tag-district-of-columbia","tag-donald-trump","tag-general-news","tag-military-and-defense","tag-news","tag-protests-and-demonstrations","tag-trump-hub","tag-u-s-news","tag-united-states","tag-united-states-of-america","tag-unitedstates","tag-unitedstatesofamerica","tag-us","tag-usa","tag-washington-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/729428","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=729428"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/729428\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/729429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=729428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=729428"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=729428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}