Trump shames ‘pro-algae’ protester in hunt for alleged Reflecting Pool vandals
President Donald Trump shared a photo on Truth Social of a protester dressed in an inflatable frog costume labeled “Amphifa,” which he described as another example of a “crazy pro-algae (likely paid)” protester. The protester’s sign referenced the famous Niemoller quote about Germans not speaking out against Nazis, symbolizing perceived censorship or suppression of certain viewpoints. The inflatable frog activist appeared at protests in Portland and was involved in clashes in Minnesota.
Simultaneously occurring, Trump has been involved in a controversy over the renovated Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial, which showed signs of damage shortly after its completion. Critics accuse vandals, while trump and his supporters claim the damage was due to poor workmanship by contractors, whom Trump has defended. The U.S. Park Police arrested David Hearn, a former Olympian, on charges of vandalism, though Hearn claims he only touched the liner out of curiosity and denies intentionally damaging the site. the incident has sparked a debate over the handling of the pool’s restoration and the apparent vandalism or deterioration that followed.
President Donald Trump posted a photo of a “pro-algae” protester as he continues cracking down on the alleged vandals of the newly refurbished Reflecting Pool.
The Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial has become a culture war flash point after Trump decided to renovate it. Following its quick deterioration, the president and his allies have been on the hunt for alleged vandals, who are accused of being behind the deterioration.
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“Here is another example of a crazy pro-algae (likely paid) protestor,” Trump posted on Truth Social, with a picture of a protester dressed in an inflatable frog costume emblazoned with the phrase “Amphifa.”
“The sign says, ‘First they came for the algae…’ which is in reference to a famous post-WW2 statement about Germans not speaking out against the Nazis: ‘…Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me,’” he added.
The quote being referenced is a famous poem from German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller, whose original work started with, “First they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Communist,” then progressed through the Nazis’ enemies and ended with him.
The inflatable frog costume has been embraced by some of Trump’s left-wing critics after someone was seen wearing it at a protest in Portland, Oregon, in October, later showing up in clashes in Minnesota with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The multimillion-dollar renovation of the Reflecting Pool ordered by Trump showed signs of damage or deterioration just days after it was unveiled, triggering competing accusations of vandalism or a poor job by contractors.
US PARK POLICE ARREST FORMER OLYMPIAN FOR VANDALISM OF REFLECTING POOL
Trump has defended the contractors and insisted vandals were behind the damage. When asked for evidence, he said it would be shown in court.
On Friday, U.S. Park Police arrested David Hearn, 67, a cyclist and former Olympian, on a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property after allegedly vandalizing the Reflecting Pool. While Trump and his supporters viewed the arrest as vindication, Hearn insisted he did no such thing, only reaching into the pool to feel a detached piece of the pool’s liner to see what it felt like, according to the Washington Post. The cyclist also denied touching the hose used by government workers but acknowledged his bike might have.
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