A 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.

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. 

“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.”

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.

“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.

“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.