Drained Reflecting Pool shows algae, no sign of Trump's 350-foot gash

The Reflecting Pool reopened in June amid much controversy, and within days, it presented a not-so-pretty picture, with algae turning the blue water green and the pool's lining peeling off. This did not go down well with President Donald Trump, who is on a spree to beautify monuments across Washington and has invested much of his political capital in backing the project. Now that the pool has been drained, there is no 350-foot gash to be found, despite Trump repeatedly asserting that a knife or razor cut caused it rather than shoddy work.

This was confirmed in new footage on Monday, which revealed a splotchy, algae-stained floor without the massive gash. The 6.5-million-gallon pool was cleared for repair, according to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who explained that an effort was underway to remove fireworks debris from the July 4 celebrations and undo the damage, USA Today reported. This marks the second such attempt since Trump announced the renovation in April at a cost of nearly $16 million.

Many have questioned the timing of the vandalism claims, suggesting there was no tampering but rather poor-quality work by contractors selected under questionable circumstances through no-bid contracts. The President, however, has stood his ground, though his account of the damage has shifted repeatedly—ballooning from 250 feet to 300 to 350 feet, and attributing the cuts sometimes to a knife or a razor—even as officials, journalists, and fact-checkers found no photos, video, or physical evidence to back it up.

In fact, seven people have been arrested, with the three-time Olympian David Hearn being the most prominent among them. He was recently indicted on a single count of destruction of property, allegedly causing damage worth $1,000. The 67-year-old has pleaded not guilty in court to the charges. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro claimed that Hearn committed a "deliberate act to damage the reflecting pool at the National Mall that members of the National Park Service actually have worked hard to restore."

Hearn was arrested last month for reaching into the water out of curiosity to feel a flap of detached "American flag blue" liner. A guilty verdict could lead to a 10-year prison sentence. His lawyer, Norm Eisen, was confident of beating the charges, contending that federal prosecutors were attempting to "provide political cover" for the Trump administration for a failed renovation project. A hearing is set for August 5.