The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, newly renovated at a cost of $14m, is set to be drained again just weeks after reopening. The six-week-long project saw the pool drained before having its resurface repainted in an “American flag blue”, as per the wishes of Donald Trump. However, since then, bright green algae has grown, the paint has already started to peel and five people have been arrested for alleged vandalism at the historic site. The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg reports from the pool, where he spoke to residents about the botched renovation.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump described the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as “absolutely filthy,” vowing to clean up the iconic landmark and make it “look gorgeous,…

The president also blamed damage to the renovations on “vandals,” and said multiple people have been arrested.