Look, don’t touch: Visitors cited at Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

A woman puts her arm in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 22, 2026 after it has become overrun with algae just days after the landmark underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation that painted the pool's basin "American Flag Blue," a dark navy, ahead of Independence Day.

U.S. Park Police, U.S. Marshalls and National Guard troops respond to a woman putting in her hand in the the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Monday, June, 22, 2026. She was later issued a citation and was let go. The Reflecting Pool has become overrun with algae just days after the landmark underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation that painted the pool's basin "American Flag Blue," a dark navy, ahead of Independence Day.

U.S. Park Police, U.S. Marshalls and National Guard troops respond to a woman putting in her hand in the the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Monday, June, 22, 2026. She was later issued a citation and was let go. The Reflecting Pool has become overrun with algae just days after the landmark underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation that painted the pool's basin "American Flag Blue," a dark navy, ahead of Independence Day.

A mounted US Park Police officer writes a citation for 17-year-old for what police said was taking a piece of paint from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, after recent renovations following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, DC on June 21, 2026.

A federal U.S. Marshall on the Federal Fugitive Task Force holds a piece of Reflecting Pool paint, as a 17-year-old is detained and cited for what police said was taking a piece of paint from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, after recent renovations following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, DC on June 21, 2026.

A mounted US Park Police officer writes a citation for 17-year-old for what police said was taking a piece of paint from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, after recent renovations following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, DC on June 21, 2026.

A section of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool paint is missing on June 22, 2026,as sections begin to peel after the landmark underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation that painted the pool's basin "American Flag Blue," a dark navy, ahead of Independence Day.

People look at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 22, 2026, as clumps of dead algae collects along the edge just days after the landmark underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation that painted the pool's basin "American Flag Blue," a dark navy, ahead of Independence Day.

National Guard troops patrol the perimeter of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Monday, June 22, 2026. The Reflecting Pool has become overrun with algae just days after the landmark underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation that painted the pool's basin "American Flag Blue," a dark navy, ahead of Independence Day.