Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Cleanup After July 4 Fireworks

Cleanup crews were hard at work Sunday morning in Washington, D.C., clearing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after the massive Fourth of July celebration. Workers used long-handled tools and nets to scoop debris left behind by fireworks and the enormous crowds that packed the National Mall.

The pool was littered with ash and remnants from the holiday festivities. Crews also cleaned along the edges to restore the water to the "American Flag Blue" hue chosen by President Trump during the $16 million renovation.

The annual July 4th event draws hundreds of thousands of visitors, and while the fireworks last only minutes, the cleanup extends well into the next day. This year, operations began early to minimize disruption for tourists and residents.

The Lincoln Memorial and its reflecting pool have been in the news before due to vandalism. Shortly after the renovation, someone damaged the interior lining, leading to arrests and controversy. David Hearn, a former Olympian, was arrested for touching a piece of detached liner, and his lawyers called the charges outrageous, accusing the administration of shifting blame.

This latest incident adds to the seemingly cursed history of the pool's revamp. Authorities hope for a trouble-free year, but the monument's story continues to unfold with unexpected twists.