‘Deranged’ vandals fuel Mall sabotage trend, from blood writing to Reflecting Pool damage
Vandalism incidents have surged on the National Mall, including razor‑blade cuts to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool shortly after its Trump‑ordered repainting. Additional acts involved blood‑written messages on the Washington Monument and cryptic "8647" markings elsewhere on the Mall. Interior Department officials say the pattern was initially concealed to deter copycats but is now being treated as a growing trend.
- ▪Over 300 feet of the Reflecting Pool liner was damaged with razor‑blade‑like slashes after the pool reopened following a $14.8 million renovation ordered by President Donald Trump.
- ▪A person wrote a message in their own blood on the Washington Monument, according to a police report.
- ▪Multiple "8647" markings were found on the National Mall, adding to the series of vandalism incidents.
- ▪Interior Department communication director Katie Martin said officials initially did not publicize the June 9 Reflecting Pool damage to avoid encouraging further attacks.
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White House ‘Deranged’ vandals fuel Mall sabotage trend, from blood writing to Reflecting Pool damage Razor-blade-like slashes damaged over 300 feet of the pool's liner the same day it reopened after Trump-ordered repainting By Ashley J. DiMella Fox News Published June 25, 2026 10:32am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video 'The Five' on media reaction to vandalism to Trump's renovation of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Fox News hosts discuss the extensive media coverage of algae and peeling paint in the Reflecting Pool, following a $14.8 million renovation. The panel shows clips from CNN and ABC, featuring reporters taking water samples and Whoopi Goldberg mocking the situation.
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