The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool deteriorated after a renovation project that cost more than $16 million — significantly over its estimated budget — developing an algae bloom and peeling paint. At least five arrests occurred on alleged vandalism charges. Trump blamed vandals without evidence while avoiding accountability for contractor failures. The pool's problems (algae, discoloration, rising costs) follow directly from the renovation work itself, not sabotage. The framing as a 'vandalism disaster' rather than a 'renovation failure' shifts blame away from the administration's contractors and spending choices.