Trump: 'Some Contractor Error,' Vandalism Without 'Video or Proof' at Reflecting Pool
Was the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool damage caused by a botched renovation or deliberate political sabotage?
Above: The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Aug. 7. Image credit: Mehmet Eser/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Spin
Anti-Trump narrative
The reflecting pool renovation was a textbook case of cronyism involving no-bid contracts and inflated profit margins. Rather than own the failure, the administration invented a vandalism conspiracy and arrested an innocent man. The U.S. Attorney admitted the damage stemmed from a botched installation and hopefully Hearn will receive the justice he deserves.
Pro-Trump narrative
There may have been some issues with the work done by the contractors, but the president has made it clear that there was a witness who saw Hearn violently rip the coating. The same area had acid-like material poured on new grass with "86 47" written on it. Clearly, anti-Trump actors on the left, including Hearn, are hell bent on sabotage and must face justice.
