President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum will “fix” the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a landmark he says has deteriorated under the Biden administration’s neglect. Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, accompanying his message with a video of workers tending to the pool as Andrea Bocelli’s “Time to Say Goodbye” played in the background. The clip ended with the words “Make D.C. Beautiful Again,” underscoring Trump’s renewed push to restore the nation’s capital.
“This is the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool before Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and I fix it,” Trump wrote. “Study it hard because you won’t be seeing this Biden filth and incompetence much longer!” His message reflected the president’s ongoing theme that Washington, D.C., fell into decay under Biden and is now being revived under his leadership.
The Reflecting Pool, located east of the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, is one of the most iconic sites in the country. Completed in 1923 and stretching nearly 2,000 feet, it is the largest reflecting pool in the nation’s capital. The Lincoln Memorial itself, dedicated in 1922, remains one of the most visited historic landmarks in the United States. According to the National Park Service, nearly 8.5 million people visited the site last year, making its upkeep a central priority for tourism and national heritage.
When contacted by reporters, the Interior Department did not provide additional details about the project but affirmed it is “committed to this effort.” The National Park Service has also been asked for comment.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has made cleaning up Washington, D.C., a major policy focus. In March, he signed an executive order directing Burgum to require the National Park Service to remove homeless encampments, clear graffiti, and restore federal lands within its jurisdiction. Trump has repeatedly argued that the Biden administration allowed these problems to spiral out of control, contributing to the capital’s decline in safety, cleanliness, and aesthetic appeal.
The president has also deployed National Guard troops to assist in these “beautification” efforts, beginning in August. The troops have been seen removing trash, repairing damage, repainting barricades, pulling weeds, and helping federal crews restore neglected public spaces across the city. Trump has said the revitalization of Washington is symbolic of the broader restoration of the country and proof that strong leadership can reverse years of disorder and decline.
For Trump, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool serves as a visual metaphor for what he insists was a mismanaged and poorly maintained capital under Biden. Fixing it fits neatly into his broader message about restoring national pride, preserving American monuments, and repairing the damage he says was done under Democratic leadership.
While details of the renovation plan have not yet been released, Trump’s public commitment signals that the Reflecting Pool will be among the first major federal restoration projects in his new term. For millions of Americans and tourists who visit the site each year, the administration’s promise to “Make D.C. Beautiful Again” suggests a renewed federal emphasis on preserving national treasures, improving public spaces, and reversing years of neglect in the nation’s capital.
[READ MORE: Interior Department Announces Higher National Park Fees for Foreign Visitors]
