U.S. Park Police have requested public assistance to identify a person of interest regarding an investigation into the destruction of government property at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. To aid the search, officials released a video on social media Wednesday depicting an individual reaching into the water and appearing to remove an object. The footage is captured from a distance and appears somewhat blurry. ABC News has contacted the National Park Service and Park Police to inquire about the origins of the video clip.
According to authorities, the incident took place on Friday, June 19, at 3:36 p.m. ET. The Park Police have urged anyone who may recognize the individual or possess information regarding the case to contact their designated tip line.
The call for information coincides with ongoing commentary from President Donald Trump, who has frequently attributed damage at the site to vandals following a $16 million renovation project. While the President has emphasized the damage, the White House has not yet released specific evidence documenting the alleged vandalism at the pool.
During a speech on the National Mall at the launch of Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair on Wednesday, President Trump described the site as having been “gruesomely vandalized by thugs,” though he added that it looked perfect again following recent repairs. He stated that the perpetrators had largely been apprehended and were facing prosecution.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for the Interior Department and the U.S. Park Police confirmed that several arrests and federal citations related to alleged vandalism at the site have been issued. President Trump previously noted on Tuesday that six individuals had been arrested. Additionally, the President announced that the Reflecting Pool is scheduled to be drained again near the Fourth of July to conduct permanent repairs.
