Renovations to the The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool started in April and went on for two months, under Trump's request, ahead of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

"The 2,000-foot-long basin was drained" and "a tinted polyurea liner" was installed in the pool to "waterproof and protect the concrete pool surface", the NPS outlined in its statement.

But after being refilled with water, the pool was plagued by an algae bloom and developed issues with the deep blue paint that was added to its bottom.

Five people have been arrested for vandalism in connection with the Reflecting Pool, and five others were issued federal citations, according to US Park Police.

The NPS plans to drain the pool once more after Independence Day celebrations on 4 July to "conduct repairs, including assessments and repairing any damage to the lining", Lands said.

The pool, which was built in the 1920s and stretches 2,030ft (619m) between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, has long suffered from leaks, structural deterioration, faulty pipes, algae growth and bird droppings.