FACT CHECK: President Trump just claimed that "The United States Park Police have arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nations magnificent Reflecting Poll."
Trump said, "Who would do such a thing? These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments. Years in jail! Work will begin immediately on its repair."
REALITY: A 67-year old cyclist, former three-time US Olympian David Hearn, was arrested for alleged misdemeanor vandalism. He denies the charges, saying he noticed a detached piece of the pool's liner floating in the water, and reached in and touched it before he was quickly detained. Hearn said, "I didn’t destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs."
National Guard members detained Hearn who was charged with misdemeanor vandalism, which can carry a sentence of up to six months imprisonment, not "years in jail" as Trump proclaimed.
No other people have been reportedly arrested for any vandalism related to the reflecting pool. This incident occurred after it was already widely reported that the pool's liner has began to detach and erode following algae remediation attempts which utilized hydrogen peroxide — which is known to strip paint.
Is Trump recklessly trying to change the narrative around the failing liner and algae remediation attempts for his reflecting pool vanity project?
Do you believe 67-year old former 3-time Olympian would attempt to damage the pool's liner?
Why is the National Guard deployed to protect the pool? Is this a good use of taxpayer money, on top of the ballooning costs of repairing the issues with the reflecting pool?
Trump wants to designate ANTIFA as a terrorist organization.
Translation: opposing fascism is terrorism, but supporting Nazis is “very fine people.”We’ve seen this movie before and it doesn’t end well.
Stephen Miller is a bitter, spiteful, cold-hearted man — venomous in his words, ruthless in his actions, brimming with seething hatred, malicious intent, and a twisted, sadistic delight in others’ pain.