Leavitt Returns to Blast âDerangedâ Algae Protesters at Reflecting Pool
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt returned to TV to denounce the agitators who have been hanging out or even participating in the alleged vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. During an interview on Fox News, Leavitt revealed that authorities have arrested at least five people in connection with the alleged vandalism of the pool. There have been 14 police reports filed for vandalism, the official added.
Leavitt, who went on maternity leave in late April and gave birth
to her daughter in early May, has not returned to her duties in the White House Briefing Room, but she did provide more information on the situation in D. C. The discussion began when host Sean Hannity detailed President Donald Trumpâs plan to restore the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
After the project was completed, algae began to grow in the pool. The Trump administration has accused critics of sabotaging the project
Agitators have been appearing at the Reflecting Pool, with some carrying signs in favor of the algae that has destroyed Trumpâs project. âWell, the baby is certainly much more enjoyable to talk about, Sean, but the algae is obviously the news of the day, and it is completely ridiculous,â Leavitt told Hannity.
âItâs unbelievable to see these people, these deranged leftists, in algae costumes with âteam algaeâ on their backs. What does that even mean?â she remarked
âOnly the Democrats could hate beautifying our nationâs capital and making it a symbol of pride again, but this is what the American people elected President Trump to do,â she continued. Leavitt concluded, âHe made this promise to them on the campaign trail. The president approved this. He promised that he was going to make our nationâs capital both safe and beautiful again, and it is a promise that he has kept.â
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Karoline Leavitt says arrests at the Reflecting Pool have now risen to six after another alleged vandal was taken into custody. Leftist activists are desecrating national monuments while police continue making arrests.
The crackdown continues. pic.twitter.com/q31ZYMZunn
â #WalkAway Campaign (@RealWalkAway) June 23, 2026 Among the arrests was former U. S. Olympic canoeist David âDaveyâ Hearn, who told NBC News he was detained five hours on Friday after touching a piece of detached coating at the Reflecting Pool. 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 Sunday, and Trump said
he had âinspectedâ the Reflecting Pool. Trump, on Monday morning, reiterated his allegations of the Reflecting Pool being under siege ahead of the nationâs 250th birthday.
âChemicals have been dumped illegally into the water,â the president wrote in a Truth Social post
âThe Reflecting Pool has been torn open with a 300-foot-long gash. âPlease remember that there is a 10-year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things â Which will be fully enforced!â Trump added in his Truth Social post. On Monday afternoon, Trump told reporters it was a â350-foot slit from one end to the other.â
âI saw it. They cut it. They cut it very violently,â he said
When a reporter asked to see photos, Trump said, âYouâll see it in court, but all you have to do is call the parks department, call the Department of Interior.â 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.
During an appearance on CNN, Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell said her constituents are âoutragedâ by the algae
The president has vowed to keep cleaning up the nationâs capital despite efforts from Democrats and leftists to stop him.
