WASHINGTON— A group of Republican lawmakers are urging acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to bring long-awaited clarity to the gruesome deaths of five premie-sized babies recovered from a Washington, D.C., abortion clinic in 2022.
Utah Senator Mike Lee and Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey, along with more than 50 other lawmakers, are calling on Blanche to &#8220;comprehensively investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of five preborn children&#8221; whose remains &#8220;were recovered by the Metropolitan Police Department in 2022, after they were allegedly aborted in the Washington Surgi-Clinic operated by the late-term abortionist Dr. Cesare Santangelo.&#8221;
&#8220;For four years, members of Congress have remained alarmed at this clear violation of life and law, but the Biden Administration Department of Justice refused to act,&#8221; the lawmakers write in a letter exclusively obtained by The Daily Wire, noting that their remains are in the possession of the D.C. Medical Examiner and calling on Blanche to find out if the babies &#8220;were victims of the crimes of infanticide or partial-birth abortion.&#8221;
Blanche, who has been acting attorney general since April, is in the midst of a confirmation battle on Capitol Hill. Blanche faced the Senate Judiciary Committee last week in a two-day hearing where Republican and Democrat lawmakers alike questioned him about the Trump administration&#8217;s handling of the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ag-nominee-todd-blanche-shuts-down-trump-epstein-claims">Jeffrey Epstein case</a>, among other issues.
Lee and three other signatories of Tuesday&#8217;s letter — Senators Chuck Grassley, Ted Cruz, and Josh Hawley — all serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Blanche will need their votes to get to a full floor vote, and then for confirmation. As the committee prepares to vote, the signatories are calling Blanche to conduct a &#8220;thorough investigation into the death of each child, including autopsies of the infants and the preservation of all collected evidence.&#8221;
That is not all, however: they also want the babies to be properly buried.
&#8220;We cannot undo the grievous, barbaric acts that killed these children in their most vulnerable stage, but we equally cannot allow such lawlessness and inhumanity to evade our justice system any longer,&#8221; the letter reads. &#8220;Under President Trump’s and your leadership, we are hopeful that these children will finally receive the justice they deserve.&#8221;
A Justice Department official told The Daily Wire on Tuesday afternoon that the DOJ has gathered and reviewed documents related to the DC Five and is in the process of finalizing that process and turning things over to Congress. Should Congress identify any crimes in the DOJ&#8217;s trove of documents, the DOJ will &#8220;certainly investigate those matters,&#8221; the official shared.
“The Department of Justice is aware of the Senators’ request and takes these matters seriously,&#8221; DOJ spokeswoman Kiersten Pels shared. &#8220;As with all allegations of potential criminal conduct, the Department will review the information carefully and will investigate any credible allegations of criminal actions. The Department remains committed to following the facts and the law wherever they lead.”
Pro-life activists Lauren Handy and Terrisa Bukovinac originally discovered the baby bodies in boxes outside a Foggy Bottom abortion clinic in 2022 shortly before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The Daily Wire has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/i-went-to-the-clinic-of-the-dc-abortionist-accused-of-gruesome-crimes-heres-what-i-saw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">extensively reported</a> on Washington&#8217;s lack of interest in how these fully formed babies died.
Advocates and Republican lawmakers have sounded the alarm for years about these babies, warning that they appear to have been brutally and illegally aborted in violation of federal law, but the Biden administration took no steps to properly investigate the matter, instead targeting the women who recovered the bodies.
Doctors estimated to The Daily Wire in 2022 that several of the babies were the victims of late-term abortions — and that at least one baby may have been aborted using illegal partial-birth abortion methods, showing “deep lacerations to the posterior neck which presumably correlates to the method of abortion used to end her life.”
&#8220;If this baby girl was alive when the abortionist made these lacerations, then her death directly violated the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 (18 U.S. Code § 1531), which criminalizes the partial deliverance of a living child for the purpose of performing an overt act that intentionally takes the life of the child,&#8221; they wrote.
The lawmakers also point to the estimations of pro-life doctors, noting that one baby boy was estimated to be around 28 to 32 weeks, while another baby looked “like he should have been in the nursery” and was “about the same size as [her] granddaughter when she was born.”
Lee and Smith called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to conduct an investigation into the babies in 2022, as The Daily Wire first reported at the time, but the Justice Department never investigated or responded.
&#8220;On the contrary, after two years of inaction, reports indicated that the Department of Justice advised the Chief Medical Examiner to discard the bodies of the infants,&#8221; Lee and Smith write in their letter. &#8220;Fortunately, members of Congress were able to intervene with the Chief Medical Examiner and urge him to preserve the bodies.&#8221;
As recently as April, Republican Reps. Chip Roy (TX) and Andy Biggs (AZ) <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-fbi-must-investigate-biden-coverup-of-aborted-babies-found-in-dc-lawmakers-say">pushed FBI Director Kash Patel</a> to investigate the babies and their deaths.
Editor’s Note: This piece was updated with additional comment from the Department of Justice.

Screenshot 2026-07-20 at 5.05.43 PM

EXCLUSIVE: Republican Senators Make Big Demand Of Todd Blanche Ahead Of Confirmation Vote

Abortion

Todd Blanche

Trump Administration

Washington D.C.

I started my first Saturday in my new hometown in rural Tennessee on a mission to explore it and take in all of the small-town charm. But first – coffee. What I came to find was that the town had no Starbucks, no Target, no long list of well-known restaurants. It would be a 40-minute round-trip drive just to get my iced shaken espresso. And that’s when it hit: I have officially left my comfortable Washington, D.C. orbit. 
But you know what? That’s fine; I need to stiffen my weak citified spine.
What wasn’t fine was what I found out next. My new town had just been rocked by a massive local government corruption scandal. The mayor and two others were <a href="https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local-news/mayor-others-indicted-after-investigation-finds-450k-in-misused-funds/article_f50d09fa-61dc-4572-bde1-3c37a5d03d6b.html">indicted on theft of funds</a>, with the investigation claiming a whopping $450k was misused. The officials deny guilt, but the <a href="https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/newsletter_stories/martin-mayor-shares-next-steps-for-city-amid-funding-crisis/article_f0877e2c-de60-4bd0-89b2-7ab13cceb96f.html">town reports a severe financial crisis</a>. For a town this size, the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars can be a death knell.
For decades, this small town has run on manufacturing and farming. One of those hollowed-out regions, this area was dealt a massive gut punch by Chinese tire imports and the 2009 Obama tariffs. And now, soybean farmers are affected by the <a href="https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-politics/pew-study-tn-among-most-tariff-vulnerable/">Trump tariffs</a>. Suffice it to say, it’s no stranger to economic volatility, whether at the local or federal level.
And as a result, the city announced this year that the town’s annual Soybean Festival would be canceled <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TNSoybeanFestival/posts/pfbid036zd15smzzeEvHCRPwD2ou2xLqKavk9ZLSsYAz1DAtj1yd6UY6sbuCYMZ4qPtiaPil">due to the financial crisis</a>.
In the Washington, D.C. world I’ve observed, if a budget is blown in Congress, that’s usually a challenge to bloat it even more. But in small-town America, residents live within the confines of their town budgets. It has a direct impact. And for this town, that means foregoing the four-decade-long bright spot that unites families and the whole community, the Soybean Festival. For urbanites, it may sound trivial, but small town fairs are massive cultural and economic drivers, and this one is no different. It’s not only a morale booster, but something folks plan for all year long. And that’s why when the announcement came down, the community said, “Enough.”
In a plot twist that can only be found in films like &#8220;It’s a Wonderful Life,&#8221; one local man has rallied a groundswell of community support to <a href="https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2026/06/05/tennessee-soybean-festival-return-2026-cancelation/90404057007/">bring the Festival back to life</a>. Not by demanding they spend money they don’t have, but by organizing different people from all over the town and organizing organic fundraising. It may have started with one resident willing to make the first phone call, but it only worked because dozens of others answered it. Their grassroots festival will be a fraction of the grandeur of festivals before, but locals don’t care. As one person <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Martinscoffeeandbakery/posts/pfbid0MtwbzhKmkKEqPoGNr9XrR7Mxp12C7KYk4S57WhWRgDayU5eXx3o6xRxPq5q6Ao4yl">posted</a>, “You do not even know how much it means to me and my family that y’all are trying keep Soybean alive. Now I can possibly bring my children to enjoy the same atmosphere.” 
It struck me, I’ve been lamenting and making a list in my mind of how disconnected I am to all of the civic activity in the District, yet here I am confronted with democracy in action, and I’m missing it. As they say here in Tennessee, when something is right in front of your face: “if it was a snake — it would’ve bit me.”
For those of us who work in and around D.C., it’s easy to think that important American affairs are captured in that one region…but are they? As we speak, Congress is in a stalemate over 2027 funding, struggling to agree on topline spending totals. In fact, they haven’t passed an on-time bipartisan funding agreement in <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/3877">seven years</a>.
I’m sitting in a coffee shop in the middle of this tiny downtown, watching citizens come together, organize, and save their town. These people aren’t all best friends; I see them verbally duke it out on Facebook a lot. But they are all pausing whatever disagreements they have to come together for the common good. They don’t all make the Congressional salary of $174k, but they are pooling whatever money they can to create a functional budget for this modest grassroots fair.
Watching my new town rally around the Soybean Festival reminded me why &#8220;It&#8217;s a Wonderful Life&#8221; is such a heartwarming story. We remember George Bailey as the hero, but the film&#8217;s real lesson isn&#8217;t about one extraordinary man. It&#8217;s about an ordinary town. Bedford Falls survives because its people decide it is worth saving.
That&#8217;s exactly what I&#8217;m watching unfold in rural Tennessee.
I hope Washington remembers what my new hometown refuses to forget, that self-government is about more than the next election and political wins. It requires living within limits, setting aside personal grievances, and accepting responsibility for something larger than ourselves.
And I’ve certainly learned firsthand that the true American strength and grit of this country never rested solely inside the Capitol. It has always depended on ordinary Americans who refuse to let their communities fall apart.
***
Emily Osment Davis is a writer and communicator with a background in non-profits and politics and a not-so-secret love of celebrity gossip. She covers the space where Hollywood meets D.C. — because sometimes the two aren’t so different. You may have read her work in Newsweek, USA Today, Fox News, and more.

Fleetwood Blues Festival

I Left Washington And Found The America Missing From D.C.

DW Opinion

Rural America

Small Towns

President Donald Trump touted the record-breaking fireworks display prepared for Saturday&#8217;s festivities celebrating America&#8217;s 250th birthday on the National Mall.
&#8220;Best fireworks show, EVER! President DJT,&#8221; he posted via his Truth Social platform after the last of the munitions had been spent.
The 40-minute display included more than 850,000 individual fireworks, breaking the Guiness World Record for the largest fireworks display on record. American military service members provided the soundtrack for the massive spectacle, singing hits like Chicago&#8217;s &#8220;25 or 6 to 4,&#8221; Journey&#8217;s &#8220;Don&#8217;t Stop Believin&#8217;,&#8221; Bon Jovi&#8217;s &#8220;Livin&#8217; on a Prayer,&#8221; the Village People&#8217;s &#8220;Y.M.C.A.,&#8221;  Toby Keith&#8217;s &#8220;Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),&#8221; and Neil Diamond&#8217;s &#8220;Sweet Caroline.&#8221;
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The largest firework show in U.S. history for America’s 250th birthday!!! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/Id0oyS8uLN">pic.twitter.com/Id0oyS8uLN</a>
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://x.com/MargoMartin47/status/2073629242013737274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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🚨 BOOM! THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA IS ALIVE AND WELL!
Washington DC and President Trump just BROKE THE RECORD for most fireworks EVER, and cities nationwide launched their own celebrations on America 250
After weather evacuations, patriots BROKE OUT into Star Spangled Banner before… <a href="https://t.co/MnqtfylDG4">pic.twitter.com/MnqtfylDG4</a>
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) <a href="https://x.com/EricLDaugh/status/2073747253252993264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The 250 fireworks finale! <a href="https://t.co/qbgkLDhHFr">pic.twitter.com/qbgkLDhHFr</a>
— Beverly Hallberg (@BeverlyHallberg) <a href="https://x.com/BeverlyHallberg/status/2073630024586932306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The entire National Mall fireworks show in about a minute, seen from the webcam at the top of the Washington Monument starting with the B1 Lancer flyover. <a href="https://t.co/BY0AlLawBl">pic.twitter.com/BY0AlLawBl</a>
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) <a href="https://x.com/aletweetsnews/status/2073632498760749119?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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World War II veterans who were honored during President Trump&#8217;s remarks watched the incredible display from their memorial.
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They left home as boys 8 decades ago to go out and save the world. Last night they sat at the WWII Memorial together and celebrated their country&#8217;s 250th. Still heroic. <a href="https://t.co/RXnOmtMVj7">pic.twitter.com/RXnOmtMVj7</a>
— Jerry Thornton (@jerrythornton) <a href="https://x.com/jerrythornton/status/2073740039574474823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Throughout the evening, the fireworks and other program events competed with uncooperative weather, as a large thunderstorm blew through the nation&#8217;s capital and even forced a delay in the president&#8217;s remarks.
Lightning lit up the sky behind the Washington Monument as the crowd joined in singing &#8220;Sweet Caroline.&#8221;
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HOLY SH*T:
I just caught the moment lighting strikes near the Washington Monument as &#8220;Sweet Caroline&#8221; plays during the Freedom 250 fireworks in Washington D.C.
God bless America. 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/5Q92TgBGST">pic.twitter.com/5Q92TgBGST</a>
— Evan Kilgore 🇺🇸 (@EvanAKilgore) <a href="https://x.com/EvanAKilgore/status/2073628449533468718?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Lightning photobombs DC&#8217;s fireworks show.
Remarkable images shared with us by Russell Moy. <a href="https://t.co/fJhYtuYDfk">pic.twitter.com/fJhYtuYDfk</a>
— Capital Weather (@capitalweather) <a href="https://x.com/capitalweather/status/2073765107562135955?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Watch: Dramatic lightning strike during DC&#8217;s fireworks Saturday night.
While lightning appears to strike Washington Monument, the bolt actually is behind it.
Video by <a href="https://x.com/AlyssaNegvesky?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlyssaNegvesky</a> <a href="https://t.co/oTVxARQ4oK">pic.twitter.com/oTVxARQ4oK</a>
— Capital Weather (@capitalweather) <a href="https://x.com/capitalweather/status/2073746243860246790?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Photo of the night contender from angela n. Stunning shot!!
More lightning + fireworks photos compiled on the site or at the Capital Weather app. <a href="https://t.co/bgPFCIQxOH">pic.twitter.com/bgPFCIQxOH</a>
— Capital Weather (@capitalweather) <a href="https://x.com/capitalweather/status/2073780201260003355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Despite the weather, well over 100,000 spectators gathered on the National Mall to witness the display — and cities all across the United States joined in with their own celebrations.

Local Weather U.S.

Trump Raves About Record-Setting Fireworks Display For America 250

Donald Trump

Fireworks

Fourth of July

A heat dome affecting much of the United States has turned the nation&#8217;s capital into one of the hottest places on earth as Americans gather to celebrate the Semiquincentennial.
On Friday, only the Sahara Desert, China&#8217;s Gobi Desert, parts of the Middle East, and parts of America&#8217;s Desert Southwest will reach higher temperatures than America&#8217;s capital, Washington Post meteorologist Ben Noll <a href="https://x.com/bennollweather/status/2072681704456638543?s=46">reported</a>. Temperatures in D.C. are expected to reach 102 degrees, with the heat index potentially hitting a blistering 110.
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D.C. will be hotter than 99 percent of the planet on Friday.
Only parts of Africa&#8217;s Sahara Desert, the Middle East, China&#8217;s Gobi Desert and a few spots in the Desert Southwest will be hotter. <a href="https://t.co/GGedfFhpr4">pic.twitter.com/GGedfFhpr4</a>
— Ben Noll (@BenNollWeather) <a href="https://x.com/BenNollWeather/status/2072681704456638543?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The Great American State Fair on the National Mall temporarily closed Friday afternoon due to the extreme heat. The fair is expected to reopen at 5:00 p.m. ET.
&#8220;The safety and well-being of our guests, volunteers, performers, vendors, and staff is our highest priority,&#8221; Freedom 250 said. &#8220;Conditions are expected to improve later this afternoon, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back at 5:00 p.m. as preparations continue for this evening’s festivities.&#8221;
The major heat has also resulted in some parade cancellations on the East Coast on Friday, including the massive Philadelphia Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade. Parade organizers in Philadelphia said they made the decision to call off Friday&#8217;s parade for the safety of participants and would-be parade watchers, CBS News <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/philadelphia-4th-of-july-parade-canceled-heat/">reported</a>.
The historic town of Leesburg, Virginia, also <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/live-updates-extreme-heat-temps-over-100-in-dc-area-disrupt-july-4-celebrations/4125412/?cardId=1:14:4125495">canceled</a> its parade planned for Saturday and moved its concert and fireworks show back one hour.
The heat wave will continue in D.C. on Saturday during the Fourth of July celebrations, with temperatures expected to reach 99 degrees and the heat index rising to 113. A potential afternoon thunderstorm could also throw a wrench in the celebrations, according to AccuWeather.
&#8220;Dangerous heat [and] storms that can bring damaging winds and downpours may disrupt outdoor holiday plans,&#8221; AccuWeather noted.
The heat wave is not stopping President Donald Trump&#8217;s massive celebrations, however, as numerous events on the National Mall scheduled for Friday and Saturday are still moving forward. Americans who brave the high temps get to take in hours of military flyovers for Trump’s “Salute to America 250” celebration, The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hundreds-of-military-aircraft-to-roar-over-d-c-for-trumps-fourth-of-july?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Drew+Berkemeyer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=Hundreds+Of+Military+Aircraft+To+Roar+Over+D.C.+For+Trump%E2%80%99s+Fourth+Of+July">reported</a>. The flyovers feature historic and modern aircraft from every branch of the military.
The &#8220;Salute to America&#8221; live programming will begin on the Washington Monument grounds at 7:00 p.m. ET, and President Trump will deliver his address at 9:45 p.m. before the &#8220;World&#8217;s Largest Fireworks Display.&#8221;
D.C.&#8217;s annual &#8220;A Capitol Fourth&#8221; concert is also moving forward on Friday night, but entry into the event will be delayed until 7:00 p.m., just one hour before the start time.

Heat Dome Settles Over US Bringing Hot And Humid Conditions To Millions Of Americans

Only Four Places On Earth Are Hotter Than D.C. As Temps Soar During America 250 Celebrations

America 250

Heat wave

A grand jury on Thursday indicted three-time U.S. Olympian David Hearn, alleging he ripped a piece of sealant from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool with his bare hands, federal prosecutors said.
Hearn, 67, faces a single felony count for destruction of property following his arrest last month in the nation’s capital, according to Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. 
“This was a deliberate act to damage the reflecting pool at the National Mall that members of the National Park Service actually have worked hard to restore,” Pirro said at a press conference. &#8220;We can state and prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he caused damage, and that damage is over $1,000.&#8221;
On June 19, Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, was on a bike ride when he stopped to see the reflecting pool following reports of algae in the water, describing himself as a “curious, concerned citizen” to <a href="https://abcnews.com/Politics/olympian-arrested-reflecting-pool-damage/story?id=134078925%5C%5C">ABC News.</a> 
That’s when U.S. Park Police warned, then cited, the former Olympian after he touched a piece of blue coating. Prosecutors say he later tore two square feet of sealant from the bottom of the pool, an account Hearn denies.
“I saw a piece of this loose end of this blue coating … I reached out and touched the end of that piece that was loose but still attached to the bottom,” he told ABC News. “I was able to reach out and touch the edge that was still attached at the bottom and handled it a little bit.”
Federal prosecutors paint a different picture of the incident. 
“Our evidence further shows that the National Park Service employees observed Hearn actually forcefully and violently pulling up and removing the bottom liner with both hands,” Pirro said, adding that witnesses described Hearn’s behavior as &#8220;belligerent&#8221; and &#8220;disrespectful.&#8221; 
An attorney for Hearn <a href="https://x.com/ryanjreilly/status/2072768984160534736?s=20">said</a> his client was innocent and that the charges are &#8220;outrageous and should be alarming to every American.&#8221;
&#8220;On the eve of our nation&#8217;s Independence Day, Americans should be deeply concerned by the misuse of government power against an ordinary citizen based on a concocted narrative.&#8221;
Speaking to ABC, Hearn directly denied wrongdoing. 
“I did not remove, I did not damage, I did not rip, tear, break, destroy, or harm any part of the Reflecting Pool,” he told ABC. “The condition of that part and all other parts of the Reflecting Pool were in the same condition after I walked away as they were before I walked up to it.” 
On June 9, <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.292242/gov.uscourts.dcd.292242.22.1.pdf">U.S. Park Police responded</a> to reports of damage to the reflecting pool, including foam sealant that had been cut with a sharp knife or razor. As a result, crews scrubbed algae from the pool as strips of “American flag blue” paint and sealant peeled from its bottom, just weeks after the $14.8 million restoration project, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-says-national-monument-vandalized-as-restoration-efforts-mobilize?author=Catherine+Maxwell&amp;category=undefined&amp;elementPosition=23&amp;row=3&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+News&amp;rowType=Vertical+Carousel&amp;title=Trump+Says+National+Monument+Vandalized+As+Restoration+Efforts+Mobilize">The Daily Wire</a> previously reported. 
Thursday’s indictment follows a string of alleged vandalism and protests, including one woman chanting, <a href="https://x.com/EndWokeness/status/2068070926994846144?s=20">“algae’s better than MAGA.”</a> 
The issues and negative publicity surrounding the iconic landmark have drawn Trump’s ire as he pushes to restore the site ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, describing vandals as <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116790016615762850">“SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE!” </a>
At least six individuals have been arrested in connection with reflecting pool-related vandalism, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/6-people-arrested-connection-alleged-vandalism-reflecting-pool-trump-s-rcna351409">according to NBC. </a>
“These landmarks and monuments belong to all of us, and they must be protected for generations to come,” Pirro said. “We will not allow our sacred monuments to be roped off, defaced, or diminished, or in any way impacted by disgruntled individuals.”
If convicted, Hearn faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

REFLECTING POOL

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Case Just Took A Turn For An Ex-Olympian

Crime

Jeanine Pirro

News

Reflecting Pool

U.S.

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The nation&#8217;s capital turned into one giant soccer party Wednesday night as thousands of red-white-and-blue-clad fans packed the National Mall&#8217;s Freedom 250 Fan Zone, roaring beneath a Jumbotron with the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop, as the United States knocked off Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 to punch its ticket to the World Cup round of 16.
From D.C. to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkuA3TFiGnA">Old Town Scottsdale</a>, Arizona, fans erupted in celebration — some even declaring this the greatest American soccer squad ever assembled.
The good vibes came with an asterisk. Folarin Balogun <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49243502/usa-bosnia-herzegovina-2026-fifa-world-cup-knockout-round-32">buried</a> the game&#8217;s opening goal right before the half — his third of the tournament — but was tossed just past the hour mark after replay showed he&#8217;d raked his cleats down a Bosnian defender&#8217;s leg. The red card leaves the Americans without their leading scorer for Monday&#8217;s showdown against Belgium. Balogun becomes just the fifth American ever ejected at a World Cup, and the first player anywhere to score and get sent off in the same knockout match since Zinedine Zidane&#8217;s infamous 2006 final meltdown.
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Down a man, the Americans didn&#8217;t blink. Malik Tillman curled a stunning free kick past the wall in the 82nd minute to seal the game — his first World Cup goal — while <a href="https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/freese-usmnt-advance-to-round-of-16-with-win-over-bosnia-and-herzegovina">Union Homegrown Matt Freese</a> anchored the back line with a clean sheet. The win snapped a lengthy losing skid against European sides and marked just the United States&#8217; second knockout victory in tournament history. Now it&#8217;s on to Seattle, where the Americans get a shot at payback against the same Belgian team that eliminated the United States in 2014.
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As for that <a href="https://discoverdcnow.com/freedom-250-fifa-fan-zone-2026.html#:~:text=Even%20though%20Washington%20DC%20is,viewing%20screen%20on%20the%20grass.">Fan Zone</a> lighting up D.C., even without a host stadium, Washington built its own World Cup showcase, transforming the Mall between 3rd and 4th Streets into a free, open-air viewing hub running through July 19 — timed to coincide with America&#8217;s 250th birthday celebrations.
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More scenes from the National Mall.
Last few world cups the watch party was in dumpy DuPont Circle. Trump putting it on the National Mall is incredible.
And good to see the youth loving America instead of trashing a Chipotle! <a href="https://t.co/5iqrqH1kib">pic.twitter.com/5iqrqH1kib</a>
— Brent Scher (@BrentScher) <a href="https://x.com/BrentScher/status/2072514665398100039?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2026</a></blockquote>
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For anyone still catching up on the new format: this year&#8217;s tournament ballooned to 48 teams across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, split into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group move on automatically, joined by the eight best third-place finishers, for a 32-team knockout bracket. From there, it&#8217;s pure sudden-death — Round of 32, Round of 16, quarters, semis, and the final on July 19 in New Jersey. Ties after regulation mean extra time, and if that doesn&#8217;t settle it, penalty kicks decide who goes home and who keeps dreaming.
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For the United States, the dream stays alive — for now.
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USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round 32

WATCH: Americans Go Wild As U.S. Storms To Next Round Of World Cup

Soccer

World Cup

Two young men were injured in a double shooting in Washington, D.C., outside a gun violence prevention event at a local church.
The double shooting took place outside of Peace Baptist Church on 18th Street Northeast, just two miles from Capitol Hill, police <a href="https://www.fox5dc.com/news/2-men-shot-near-dc-church-holding-stop-violence-campaign">told</a> Fox 5 DC. 
The pastor of Peace Baptist was reportedly hosting a program to educate students on how to be gun violence prevention leaders when the shots rang out. The pastor said the two injured men were not affiliated with the church, and police have not released their identities or confirmed whether they took part in the summer jobs program near the church. Both men are expected to recover. Both men are expected to recover.
Washington, D.C., City Council member Wendell Felder stated on social media that he is working with the Metropolitan Police Department to apprehend the criminals and notify the community of the situation.
“I am deeply troubled by yesterday’s shooting near Peace Baptist Church. My prayers are with the two individuals who were injured, their loved ones, and everyone in our community who was impacted by this act of violence.” Felder <a href="https://x.com/CMWendellFelder/status/2071940279641293209">posted</a> on X. “It is particularly heartbreaking that this incident took place directly next to a youth gun violence prevention program. No one should have to fear for their safety while working to better themselves or attending community events.”
Police arrived on the scene shortly after the shots were fired and prevented the participants of the nearby summer youth employment program, most of whom were in their teens, from leaving the church for nearly two and a half hours, parents <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/2-men-shot-near-northeast-dc-church-housing-gun-violence-prevention-program/4123449/">told</a> NBC Washington. 
During those two and a half hours, officers reportedly went door-to-door asking for surveillance footage and tips about the potential suspects.
While searching the scene, police found a 16-year-old in the group carrying two backpacks that held two firearms. He was arrested and charged with carrying a pistol without a license, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a large-capacity feeding device. Police have not said whether the teen was connected to the shooting, which remains under investigation.
Electrician Jamil Davis was working outside a block away when he heard gunshots. 

“We heard the shots. The first was four, and probably about two seconds later, we heard a few more,” Davis <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DaM7i7VDQY5/">told</a> WUSA 9. “I don’t understand the logic behind why this even happened. You got kids around there.”
“I just wanted to make sure there were no kids [harmed], because I had to deal with this a couple years ago, and the last thing I want to hear is somebody else losing a kid,” Davis added.

Screenshot 2026-06-30 at 4.18.19 PM

Two Men Shot Outside Gun Violence Prevention Event

Shooting

Unlicensed food trucks operating around the National Mall have become a growing safety, tax, and law enforcement problem — a problem exacerbated by Washington, D.C.&#8217;s soft-on-crime leadership.
Local legislators passed the Street Vendor Advancement Amendment Act in 2023, decriminalizing unlicensed street vending — including food trucks — which means that illegal vendors will now never face criminal prosecution for operating there without the proper permits and licenses. The problem has gotten so pervasive that U.S. Park Police told the <a href="https://washingtonian.com/2026/06/29/dc-food-truck-mafia-national-mall/">Washingtonian</a> that many of the illegal operations amount to organized crime.
The trucks, <a href="https://x.com/jsidman/status/2071551385548501311">often clustered</a> along Constitution Avenue near some of the country’s most visited museums and monuments, have been accused of blocking fire hydrants, operating without proper licensing, avoiding taxes, and creating fire and food-safety hazards.
Some of the trucks have been seen with unsecured propane tanks, gasoline spills, questionable generator setups, and no posted prices, according to the Washingtonian. In one case, the outlet said a small chocolate ice cream cone cost $16.50. The company listed on the receipt reportedly had no record with the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue.
Officials said the problem is not just a handful of independent vendors breaking rules. Park Police said that “the majority of the illegal operations in the city are organized crime,” describing repeat offenders who replace one truck with another when enforcement removes a vehicle.
The illegal trucks have also created conflict with licensed food truck owners. One longtime legal vendor told the Washingtonian that some operators appeared to be selling food without proper refrigeration or ventilation, while another licensed truck owner said unlicensed vendors had blocked off spots and made the Mall difficult for rule-abiding operators.
In some cases, the issue has escalated to violence. Park Police said assaults around the Mall are often vendor-related, and some legal food truck owners told Washingtonian they avoid the area because unlicensed operators are aggressive and territorial. One vendor described a parking dispute in which another driver allegedly attacked him with a screwdriver near his eye.
Safety officials have also warned about the fire risk. The Washingtonian reported that a food truck caught fire in 2024 near the National Museum of African American History and Culture, critically injuring two people. In the last four years, the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department has responded to 15 food truck fires in the city.
D.C. officials have issued hundreds of vending violations, but enforcement remains difficult because many trucks come from Virginia, leave before inspectors can act, or simply pay the fines and then return. Former and current officials told the Washingtonian that some operations appear to use multiple trucks, repeated addresses, shell companies, and coordinated lookouts to avoid enforcement.
The dispute is now moving to the City Council, where lawmakers are considering bills that would give civil officials more power to tow or seize vehicles and crack down on repeat offenders. One proposal would make unlicensed vending a misdemeanor again, while another would keep it decriminalized but give agencies more tools to target repeat violators.

Multi-ethnic customers buying from owner in food truck against building

DC’s Soft-On-Crime Leadership Enables Migrant Food Truck Mafia

Organized crime

President Donald Trump ripped into the Democratic socialist who is poised to be the next Mayor of Washington, D.C., in a Sunday afternoon <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116829276650028561">social media post</a>.
The president noted that city council member Janeese Lewis George, who ran on a platform that included universal childcare and taxpayer-funded housing, won the Democratic primary with 54.1% of the vote — nearly 20 points ahead of her closest competitor, Kenyan R. McDuffie. Because there is no standout opponent going into November&#8217;s general election, Lewis George&#8217;s primary victory likely means that she will be the city&#8217;s next mayor.
&#8220;Janeese Lewis George, the Communist who is almost certainly going to be elected Mayor of Washington, D.C., has stated that she wants to empty the prisons, make D.C. a Sanctuary City, oppose ICE, welcome Criminal Illegal Aliens back into our beloved Capital, resist Anti-Crime Crackdowns, Defund the Police, continue and expand Cashless Bail, and so many other Capital destroying &#8216;things,'&#8221; Trump posted on Sunday.
&#8220;In the end, it will never work out, nor will I let it even have a chance because I have worked too hard to make Washington, D.C., the Envy of the World, with almost No Crime, and a Beautification process that has been second to none,&#8221; he added. &#8220;I will meet with Janeese Lewis George, but must forewarn everyone that Washington, D.C., is again a Safe and Prestigious Community. Many people, including myself, have worked long and hard to get it there, and we will not let it be destroyed by a Communist adherent who has no intention to, MAKE WASHINGTON GREAT AGAIN!&#8221;
Lewis George&#8217;s primary victory comes on the heels of a number that followed a similar pattern. Three Democratic socialists in New York, backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, also won their primaries. Two of the three bested incumbent Democrats in the process — and are unlikely to face any meaningful opposition in November&#8217;s general election.
As more and more primaries go in that direction, it has become clear that not everyone in the Democratic Party is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/panic-sets-in-dems-tailspin-as-they-realize-the-hostile-socialist-takeover-already-started">on board</a> with the dramatic shift. Governor Josh Shapiro (D-PA), comedian Bill Maher, and longtime Democratic strategist James Carville are among those who have warned that the Democratic socialists are not Democrats, and may be steering the party in a direction they do not want to go.

President Trump Attends G7 Summit In Evian, France

Trump Trashes The Socialist Poised To Be Next Mayor Of D.C.

Democratic Socialism

Politics

Zohran Mamdani

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will head back Friday to the Washington hotel where a man allegedly tried to kill him in late April, The Daily Wire can first report. Trump&#8217;s return to the Washington Hilton comes as he rallies religious voters ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Trump will speak at the 17th Faith and Freedom Coalition&#8217;s Road to Majority Conference on Friday morning, a White House official shared with The Daily Wire. A slew of other Trump officials will also speak, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, and border czar Tom Homan.
The event will be held at the Washington Hilton, where, on April 25, a shooter named Cole Tomas Allen attempted to charge into the White House Correspondents&#8217; Dinner and open fire on multiple top Trump administration officials, including the president, according to federal prosecutors.
Trump has not been at the hotel since the incident. A Secret Service official assured The Daily Wire that the agency is well prepared for his return.
“At every protective site, the U.S. Secret Service deploys a sophisticated, layered security framework that is custom-designed and continuously evolves to meet today’s heightened security environment,&#8221; the official said.
&#8220;While the existing security plan at the April 2026 White House Correspondents&#8217; Dinner was effective in interdicting an identified threat, the agency continually reviews our security posture and will make adjustments, as necessary.”
<div id="attachment_1122001" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-trump-heads-back-to-scene-of-assassination-attempt/donald-trump-addresses-the-faith-and-freedom-road-to-the-majority-conference-2" rel="attachment wp-att-1122001"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1122001" class="wp-image-1122001 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2158271657-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2158271657-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2158271657-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2158271657-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2158271657.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></a>Donald Trump addresses the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority Conference at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., on June 22, 2024 (Photo by Andrew Leyden/NurPhoto via Getty Images).</div>
The conference is expected to host more than 2,000 attendees and focus on inspiring and empowering conservatives to fight for America&#8217;s founding principles, with a strong emphasis on pro-family policy. Friday&#8217;s conference is specifically focused on mobilizing conservatives ahead of the midterm elections.
The Faith and Freedom Coalition has a massive outreach program that targets people of faith all over the United States, cognizant of the pivotal role that religious voters played in electing Trump in the 2024 election. Exit polling showed in 2024 that conservative Christian voters <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/elections/2024/general-results/voter-analysis/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">made up 33% of the electorate</a>, with multiple polls showing that a majority of that group voted for Trump over Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
Trump&#8217;s return to the Washington Hilton comes as his accused attempted assassin&#8217;s legal team argues that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro should be removed from the case, since they were present at the White House Correspondents&#8217; Dinner on the night of the attempted shooting.
U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/judge-rejects-defense-move-to-disqualify-top-prosecutors-in-whcd-shooting-case">rejected that request</a> in an 18-page opinion earlier this week, saying that Blanche and Pirro “are unlikely to be trial witnesses, nor do they meet the legal definition of victims.&#8221;
&#8220;Their statements about the investigation and friendships with the President likewise present no basis for screening them from the case,&#8221; McFadden noted.
Authorities indicted Allen on four charges: attempting to assassinate the president, assault on an officer of the United States with a deadly weapon, transporting a firearm, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-trump-heads-back-to-scene-of-assassination-attempt/suspect-in-custody-after-shooting-incident-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner-2" rel="attachment wp-att-1121449"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1121449 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2272620977-768x576.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2272620977-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2272620977-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2272620977.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a>
His manifesto describes how he was “no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,&#8221; calling himself &#8220;Cole &#8216;coldForce'&#8221; and &#8220;Friendly Federal Assassin Allen.&#8221;
He is the fourth known person to attempt to assassinate Donald Trump: Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at Trump during his Butler, Pennsylvania rally in July 2024, Ryan Wesley Routh attempted to shoot Trump on September 15, 2024, and Austin Tucker Martin was shot and killed by authorities as he attempted to breach Mar-a-Lago in February 2026. Crooks was also killed by authorities, and Routh is serving a life sentence in prison.
The White House Correspondents&#8217; Dinner has been rescheduled for July 24, at the Waldorf Astoria in downtown Washington, D.C. Weijia Jiang, the president of the White House Correspondents&#8217; Association, said the rescheduled event will take place with &#8220;significantly enhanced safety measures and new access procedures.&#8221;

US-POLITICS-TRUMP

EXCLUSIVE: Trump Heads Back To Scene Of Assassination Attempt

Washington Hilton

White House Correspondents Association

A top House Democrat claimed Monday that algae in Washington, D.C.’s reflecting pool is the only issue her constituents back home are talking about.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) said her constituents were “outraged” by algae in the picturesque reflecting pool, calling it “sad” and a “real problem” on CNN.  
“That&#8217;s all anybody talked about at home this weekend,” Dingell said. “It&#8217;s very sad, actually, as we do go into the 250th and you know, the 250th is a time that all of us should remember how lucky we are to live in this country, and what our forefathers put into that Constitution.”
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U.S. Rep Debbie Dingell claims algae in the Washington, DC reflecting pool is all that her constituents were talking about over the weekend in Michigan.
&#8220;Algae, that&#8217;s all anybody talked at home this weekend. They were outraged.&#8221;
I&#8217;ll take things that never happened for $500. <a href="https://t.co/kQ3fwFp4Iz">pic.twitter.com/kQ3fwFp4Iz</a>
— Thomas Hern (@ThomasMHern) <a href="https://x.com/ThomasMHern/status/2069040525823369276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2026</a></blockquote>
“I don&#8217;t know what&#8217;s happened. Algae’s a real problem, and it is in Michigan, it is in the Great Lakes, so maybe people will study it and understand what he did to the reflecting pool, which is part of the beauty of Washington. I don&#8217;t like that it&#8217;s there,” Dingell added. 
The Michigan Democrat’s feedback follows days of protests and vandalism along the National Mall. 
National Park Service crews have been scrubbing algae from the pool as strips of “American flag blue” paint and sealant peel from its bottom, weeks after a $14.8 million restoration, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-says-national-monument-vandalized-as-restoration-efforts-mobilize?author=Catherine+Maxwell&amp;category=undefined&amp;elementPosition=23&amp;row=3&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+News&amp;rowType=Vertical+Carousel&amp;title=Trump+Says+National+Monument+Vandalized+As+Restoration+Efforts+Mobilize">The Daily Wire</a> previously reported. Algae growth has plagued the reflecting pool since it first opened in 1922, according to an X post from the <a href="https://x.com/interiorpress47/status/2067436655523369239?s=20">Interior Department.</a>
A White House reporter asked Trump in the Oval Office whether the contractors hired for the remodeling project were to blame.
&#8220;No, we had vandalism,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;It&#8217;s not a lot of damage, but we&#8217;ll probably have to let the water out and re-fix it.&#8221;
Trump added that at least five have been arrested and five others are under investigation.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Reporter: Are the contractors who did the initial work with a reflecting pool, are they to blame for the current condition?
Trump: No, we had vandalism. I think 300 ft slit right through, probably a box cutter or a knife of some kind or we had people lifting up. 5 people are… <a href="https://t.co/OZFqXDV00x">pic.twitter.com/OZFqXDV00x</a>
— Acyn (@Acyn) <a href="https://x.com/Acyn/status/2069153516225262018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2026</a></blockquote>
Three-time U.S. Olympian David Hearn <a href="https://abcnews.com/Politics/olympian-arrested-reflecting-pool-damage/story?id=134078925">told ABC News</a> that police arrested him on Friday after touching a piece of blue coating that was partially detached from the bottom of the reflecting pool. He stopped by the reflecting pool as a &#8220;curious, concerned citizen.” 
“I saw a piece of this loose end of this blue coating … I reached out and touched the end of that piece that was loose but still attached to the bottom,” he told ABC News. “I was able to reach out and touch the edge of that that was still attached at the bottom and handled it a little bit.” 
Alleged vandalism aside, <a href="https://x.com/WallStreetApes/status/2068842606436790767?s=20">viral videos</a> circulating on social media show leftists holding “pro algae” protests, including one woman saying, <a href="https://x.com/EndWokeness/status/2068070926994846144?s=20">“algae’s better than MAGA.”</a>
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A literal pro-algae protest in DC today
You can&#8217;t make this stuff up <a href="https://t.co/6b5v5a0ayL">pic.twitter.com/6b5v5a0ayL</a>
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) <a href="https://x.com/EndWokeness/status/2068070926994846144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
The issues plaguing the iconic landmark have drawn Trump’s ire as he pushes to restore the site ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, calling alleged vandals <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116790016615762850">“SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE!” </a>
“Of the MANY Statues and Fountains that we rebuilt, renovated, cleaned, and fixed, the only one that was Vandalized was the Reflecting Pool, which is being taken care of, ASAP! It has been given a 300 foot long gash, chemicals have been illegally placed in the water, and the beautiful new grass field has been destroyed with a gigantic 86 47 chemically carved into it (Probably inspired by Dirty Cop, James Comey!),” Trump said in a <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116793994014541387">Truth Social post</a>.
“Please remember that there is a 10 year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things — Which will be fully enforced! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” he added.

House Democrats 2026 Issues Conference

Swing State Democrat Claims Reflecting Pool Algae Is The Biggest Issue Back Home

Debbie Dingell

Vandals damaged the newly restored Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, President Donald Trump said Friday.
The news comes as National Park Service members have been scrubbing algae from the pool while strips of peeled paint float in the water following weeks of a $14.8 million restoration. 
“Things are really looking good in our Nation’s Capital, and add to that the fact that when I became President, Crime was rampant, and now, Washington, D.C., is one of the Safest Cities anywhere in the United States,” Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116779961376108129">wrote</a> on Truth Social Friday. “However, we’ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool, which sits between The Washington Monument and The Lincoln Memorial.”
Trump said vandals have tried to damage both the inside and the outside of the pool.
“No different than the chemicals that were used on the National Mall, they used something similar in the Reflecting Pool to try to destroy and demean our beautiful work,” Trump said in the post.
Last week, the numbers “86 47” appeared in the grass near the pool, prompting an investigation. The Trump administration has interpreted the numbers as a call for violence against the president. “86” is slang in the restaurant industry for getting rid of something, while “47” might refer to Trump being the 47th president, The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/us/national-mall-grass-vandalized-86-47-trump.html">reported.</a> 
Meanwhile, the National Park Service has used chemicals and ozone nanobubbles to counter the algae that had turned the pool bright green. The department also vacuumed out dead algae. Video shows the green algae water being pumped out of the pool.
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Crews continue to pump out the dead algae from the reflecting pool. <a href="https://t.co/qeS0t02wdv">pic.twitter.com/qeS0t02wdv</a>
— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) <a href="https://x.com/PenguinSix/status/2068016161678356928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Algae growth has been a problem with the reflecting pool since it first opened in 1922, <a href="https://x.com/interiorpress47/status/2067436655523369239">according</a> to an X post from the Interior Department. The pool also has leaking pipes that disrupt its filtration system, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/19/us/politics/reflecting-pool-paint-algae.html">per</a> The New York Times.
In addition to the algae growth, the “American flag blue” paint and sealant are peeling from the bottom of the pool.
Trump said the pool’s damage will be fixed immediately, and law enforcement is investigating the potential vandalism.
“The algae is 75% gone, and the condition will soon be completely remedied, and the area that was vandalized, fortunately, is just a small area of damage, and will be fixed early next week,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump Says National Monument Vandalized As Restoration Efforts Mobilize

Trump Says Reflecting Pool Vandalized As Restoration Fights Algae, Peeling Paint

National Mall

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