Trump says Reflecting Pool "gruesomely vandalised"

President Donald Trump kicked off America's 250th anniversary celebrations speaking at the National Mall, where he said the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was “gruesomely vandalised."

"It's been gruesomely vandalised by thugs, bad people. But soon, will be looking as beautiful as it looked just two weeks ago," Trump said.

He also mentioned the suspects had "largely been caught and are being prosecuted."

The 14-million-dollar-plus renovation of the century-old pool has become a visceral flashpoint over law enforcement, aesthetics and environmental concerns.

After listing historic monuments built for the anniversaries of America's founding in 1876, including the Statue of Liberty, Trump goes on to describe his ballroom project as a "new monument", saying "we're building the most beautiful ballroom anywhere in the world right at the White House."