A viral social media claim suggests President Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard to the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial. This has led to widespread discussion and some ridicule online.
The claim states that the National Guard is now stationed at the Reflecting Pool to prevent vandalism. Social media users have reacted with a mix of disbelief, with many calling the news fake or exaggerated, while others appear to accept it and have made light of the situation. Memes and posts related to this claim have gained significant traction across platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram, reaching hundreds of thousands of views.
Verification of the Claim:
The claim that the National Guard is present to protect the Reflecting Pool appears to be true. Images and videos circulating online show uniformed National Guard members positioned along the edge of the pool, with tourists nearby. This deployment has become a subject of online commentary.
For instance, Reddit CEO Steven Huffman shared a video, humorously noting that the Guard and local police were "dispatched to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to guard the algae," and concluded with a sarcastic remark about the algae being safe.
Background on Reflecting Pool Repairs:
This situation arises after months of controversy surrounding the Reflecting Pool’s condition. The pool, which recently underwent renovations costing approximately $14 million, is now slated for further repair work. This follows the emergence of photos depicting algae growth and peeling paint, which have drawn considerable criticism.
President Trump has attributed the damage to vandalism, suggesting a chemical was intentionally introduced by vandals to harm the historical site. Consequently, he announced plans to drain the pool for immediate restoration. Trump also stated his intention to seek jail time for anyone found responsible for vandalizing the newly renovated Reflecting Pool.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump indicated, "We met with contractors today, will probably be forced to release and drain much of the water to do the necessary repairs, but will have them done as quickly as possible."