Duckling found dead in Reflecting Pool as Trump threatens vandals who deface memorial
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118+ best Amazon Prime Day deals, hand-picked and updated live for 2026 PoliticsDuckling found dead in Reflecting Pool as Trump threatens vandals who deface memorial
By Samuel Chamberlain and Anna Young Published June 22, 2026 Updated June 22, 2026, 12:55 p.m. ETSee more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The New York Post on GoogleA dead duckling was found floating in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Sunday – marking a grim twist in President Trump’s $14.8 million renovation project at the iconic site.
Stark images on social media showed the lifeless animal floating in murky green water a week after federal government employees dumped gallons of hydrogen peroxide into the pool to combat growing algae blooms.
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While it’s unclear what caused the duck’s death, a White House source told The Post the peroxide levels were tested and deemed “safe” – with levels comparable to those seen in natural swimming pools.
A Department of Interior spokesperson insisted the chemical compound would have no “harmful side effects” to marine life or the environment.
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“Hydrogen peroxide, which is a milder treatment than chlorine and is used in spas and specialty pools like natural swimming pools, is treating the pool,” the spokesperson told The Post. “There are no harmful side effects to marine life or to the environment.”
The latest controversy to hit the National Mall pool comes after Trump blamed vandals for its dismal state just weeks after the pricey restoration project was completed.
The president claimed vandals poured destructive chemicals into the iconic pool, adding it would have to be drained for repairs, and warned Monday that anyone caught defacing the water basin or the National Mall would face years in prison.
The grass on the National Mall was also defaced with giant etchings of the numbers “86 47.”
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The numerical phrase came into prominence after former FBI Director James Comey posted a picture of the numbers written in seashells on Instagram in May 2025.
“Of the MANY Statues and Fountains that we rebuilt, renovated, cleaned, and fixed, the only one that was Vandalized was the Reflecting Pool, which is being taken care of, ASAP!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“It has been given a 300 foot long gash, chemicals have been illegally placed in the water, and the beautiful new grass field has been destroyed with a gigantic 86 47 chemically carved into it (Probably inspired by Dirty Cop, James Comey!)” the president continued.
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“Please remember that there is a 10 year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things – Which will be fully enforced!”
Trump spoke out three days after former US Olympic canoer David Hearn was arrested and accused of vandalizing the pool after he reached out and touched a detached piece of liner floating in the water.
Hearn, 57, claimed he was drawn to check out the Reflecting Pool because of its newly installed “American flag blue” liner, which has been deteriorating amid an algae bloom, but didn’t destroy anything.
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“I didn’t destroy or break or peel anything,” he told the Washington Post.
“By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs. I reached in there, and I was able to grab the end of that flapping piece, the already peeling piece. It was still attached to the bottom. I didn’t remove anything.”
Video of the incident went viral, with Hearn looking bewildered as he was confronted by members of the National Guard and then put in cuffs by US Park Police.
Hearn faces a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property and is due in court July 9.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
