Fact Check: Did Kash Patel say Reflecting Pool vandals face charges for harming protected species?
WASHINGTON, DC: Amid the controversies surrounding algal growth and damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a rumor began circulating on social media platforms claiming that FBI Director Kash Patel announced federal charges related to the abuse of protected species allegedly living in the pool, sparking mockery online.
Let us analyze and fact-check the claim.
Claim: Kash Patel announced federal charges over Reflecting Pool damage
According to a viral post that surfaced on Facebook, FBI Director Kash Patel said, "This has gone too far," when he announced that anyone caught damaging the Reflecting Pool would face federal charges for the abuse of protected species.
"There are Potomac Wood Ducks in that pool that now seem to be succumbing to the chemicals Antifa put in the pool," Patel allegedly said. "They're a protected species. That's 20 years in prison."
The post further stated that Patel said the Bureau is fed up with these criminals using national monuments as political tools. "They have no respect for America."
Fact Check: The claim originated as satire
The claim is false, as there is no evidence that Patel or the FBI made such an announcement. The claim about protected species living in the pool is also baseless.
A Google search for the keywords "Reflecting Pool protected species," "wood ducks succumbing to chemicals," and Patel's alleged remarks yielded no relevant reports from credible news outlets. If the claim were true, it would likely have been widely reported.
The post was accompanied by a photo of Patel and a dead duck, with overlay text in the bottom-left corner stating, "Nothing on this page is real," indicating that the claim was intended as satire.
Trump blames vandalism for Reflecting Pool damage
President Donald Trump on Friday said that recent problems affecting the historic pool were the result of vandalism and that law enforcement authorities are investigating the matter.
The comments came as officials continued efforts to address algae growth and peeling material at the recently renovated landmark.
The Reflecting Pool has drawn attention in recent days after reports that its newly installed surface was peeling away and the water had developed a green hue from algae amid the Trump administration's renovation project.
Trump said repairs were already underway and expressed confidence that the issues would soon be resolved. The cost of the repair work increased by approximately $1.6 million, rising to $14.7 million from the initially estimated $13.1 million within a month.
