WASHINGTON, June 29 (DC Times Online) — Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said federal authorities will seek “full” prosecution after vandals damaged the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., an incident that has led to arrests, citations and a federal court filing.
Burgum said on Fox News that investigators believe the damage stretched about 350 feet and was made with a box cutter or a similar sharp tool. He said the vandalism was an attack on one of the country’s most important monuments.
“When people are attacking it, it is like an attack on our country,” Burgum said.
A court filing by an Interior Department official said the pool’s liner was cut with a sharp knife or razor. The National Park Service and U.S. Park Police have been involved in the case.
Public accounts of arrests and citations have varied. Burgum said seven arrests had been made, multiple citations issued and 18 police reports filed. President Donald Trump said six people had been arrested and seven others cited. U.S. Park Police said five people had been arrested and five others received federal citations.
Officials have not publicly identified the people arrested or said what charges, if any, have been filed. Burgum said fencing had been installed around the Reflecting Pool as crews prepared the site for July 4 events.
