President Trump stated that the White House is investigating protective materials to prevent future damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, describing recent harm to the structure as deliberate vandalism. He expressed concern about the damage to the national monument and noted the pool was emptied to allow repairs to the liner.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum subsequently defended the administration's account of vandalism-caused damage when questioned by media outlets about whether vandalism was actually responsible. The disagreement reflected different interpretations of what caused the pool's damage.