Police says Reflecting Pool was cut with knife or razor after Trump claimed knife can't cut it

WASHINGTON, DC: Days after park police arrested several people for allegedly vandalizing the newly restored historical Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a park service official in a court filing on Thursday, June 25, confirmed that the pool’s liner was cut using a knife or razor.

Notably, the development comes after Trump had previously touted the Reflecting Pool's durability, saying in May that “if you had a knife, you can't even cut it.” Weeks later, he blamed the damage to the project on vandals who allegedly used knives to slash the liner.

Court filing details intentional Reflecting Pool damage

A National Park Service official confirmed that the agency reported damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool caused by a sharp knife more than two weeks ago.

Frank Lands, deputy director for operations at the National Park Service, said the agency reported the damage to the US Park Police on June 9.

The declaration marks the first public record indicating that the Reflecting Pool may have been intentionally damaged, weeks after President Trump blamed vandals for problems with the recently renovated project.

"On June 9, 2026, after the rehabilitation project was substantially complete, the US Park Police responded to an NPS report of damage to the reflecting pool, including a caulk over the foam sealant that was cut with a sharp knife or razor and destruction of delaminating surface material," Lands said in the court filing.

"In addition, approximately 70 fence post tops were thrown into the pool," the filing read.

Lands claimed that he has personal knowledge of the fact and is willing to testify in court over the matter.

Frank Lands confirms repairs amid Reflecting Pool lawsuit

In the declaration, Lands further confirmed that the pool would be drained and repaired, but clarified that the work would start after the Independence Day festivities, rather than before.

Lands' statement came about as a part of the Cultural Landscape Foundation's lawsuit against the Interior Department over the president's Reflecting Pool paint job.

Earlier this week, Trump said the National Park Service or Interior Department would present evidence in court of what he described as a 350-foot gash in the pool’s protective coating.

The controversy erupted after photos revealing peeling of paint and pool water turning green due to algae surfaced.

President Donald Trump said on Friday, June 19, that recent problems affecting the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool were the result of vandalism and that law enforcement authorities are investigating the matter.

Later, several people, along with a former Olympian, David Hearn, were arrested for intentionally damaging the pool.