Leavitt Returns to Blast ‘Deranged’ 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.
The discussion began when host Sean Hannity detailed President Donald Trump’s 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 Trump’s project.
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
— #WalkAway Campaign (@RealWalkAway) June 23, 2026
“Well, 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,” Leavitt told Hannity. What does that even mean?” she remarked. “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. Leavitt concluded, “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.”
Arrests and Inspection Details
Among the arrests was former U.S. Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn, who told NBC News he was detained five hours on Friday after touching a piece of detached coating at the Reflecting Pool. Marine One was seen flying over the area Sunday, and Trump said he had “inspected” the Reflecting Pool. Trump, on Monday morning, reiterated his allegations of the Reflecting Pool being under siege ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday.
“Chemicals have been dumped illegally into the water,” the president wrote in a Truth Social post. “The Reflecting Pool has been torn open with a 300-foot-long gash. 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.
Democratic Concerns Over Restoration Project
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 “outraged” by the algae.