Officials Knew Reflecting Pool Liner Was Peeling Before Vandalism Case Began

The Trump administration was warned about a peeling liner in the National Mall's Reflecting Pool nearly a month before it brought a vandalism case, according to news reports. A liner is the material inside a pool that stops water from leaking out.

The Reflecting Pool sits between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument and is one of the most photographed sites in Washington, D.C. It has been undergoing a rehabilitation project, a process of repairing and restoring the structure, for several months.

Reports indicate that officials had been told about the peeling liner well before authorities decided to pursue the vandalism case. It is not yet clear exactly how the two issues are connected, but the timing has drawn attention because the warning came before legal action was taken.

Workers have now started the latest round of repairs to the pool's liner. This new work comes months after the original rehabilitation began, suggesting the liner problems have continued despite earlier efforts to fix them.

To carry out the repairs, workers have drained the pool, removing the water so crews can access the liner directly. Officials have described the repairs as critical, meaning they are urgently needed to protect the structure.

The Reflecting Pool is a major landmark and tourist attraction, so any lasting damage to its liner could affect how the site looks and functions for visitors. It remains unclear how long the current repairs will take or what caused the liner to peel in the first place.