President
The nature of the charges were not clear and law enforcement has yet to confirm or announce the full scope of the arrests. Trump
Trump has repeatedly blamed vandalism for the deteriorating condition of the pool, but has offered little substantiation of his claims. In his post, Trump said that a “350 foot gash, made by a very sharp knife or razors” was “purposefully and criminally done,” without citing evidence. Trump
Authorities last week arrested a former US Olympian after he touched a piece of the blue coating. The man, David Hearn, told ABC News that he “did not damage” any part of the pool but was instead checking its condition as a “concerned citizen.”
Trump said that water would be drained from the pool “either immediately before or after” July 4 celebrations “to do the permanent repair.”
Earlier:
The poor condition of the pool has been a black eye for Trump, who launched a roughly $14 million rehabilitation project ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Trump criticized his predecessors for letting the pool fall into disrepair and ordered it to be lined with a blue coating designed to prevent leaks.
During the work, Trump expressed enthusiasm about the overhaul, speaking about it frequently during meetings in the Oval Office, speeches, social media posts and television interviews. It is one of several high-profile construction projects Trump has undertaken in Washington since taking office, as he seeks to put his stamp on the nation’s capital.
But shortly after the pool was unveiled, its water turned green with algae. Workers treated the water with hydrogen peroxide but soon afterward, the painted lining began to peel from the bottom of the pool.
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