President Donald Trump said Monday that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is expected to reopen “soon” after it was drained over the weekend to address damage and complete additional repairs.
The announcement comes just weeks after the White House finished renovations to the historic landmark, a project that has drawn scrutiny over no-bid contracts, an algae bloom, and peeling of the pool’s “American Flag Blue” base coating.
The 2,082-foot reflecting pool was drained again after concerns emerged over the peeling paint and algae that developed following the renovation project. Trump has maintained, without providing proof, that the damage was caused by vandals.
In a Truth Social post Monday, the president said the repairs were necessary to address what he described as vandalism that occurred two weeks earlier.
“We drained the beautiful ‘Reflecting Pool’ today in order to fix the scars and damage that was done by the Vandals two weeks ago,” Trump wrote.
Trump said the administration intentionally delayed draining the pool until after Fourth of July festivities on the National Mall had concluded.
The president also repeated his claim that “thugs” were responsible for creating approximately 300-yard-long slashes in the bottom of the reflecting pool.
“These Country hating sleazebags should pay a big price for the damage done. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote.
Authorities have taken enforcement action in connection with alleged vandalism at the landmark. Law enforcement officials have arrested several individuals and issued federal citations to others accused of damaging the pool’s base.
Among those charged is former Olympian David Hearn, who pleaded not guilty last week to a vandalism charge related to the incident.
The reflecting pool renovation has remained a point of public attention since work concluded last month. In addition to questions surrounding the use of no-bid contracts, the project has faced criticism over reports of algae growth and peeling of the specially colored coating applied to the pool’s base.
Trump has repeatedly defended the renovation effort, which is part of a broader initiative by his administration aimed at restoring and improving landmarks throughout the nation’s capital.
The president has also disputed criticism surrounding the condition of the reflecting pool following its reopening.
In a separate Truth Social post late Monday, Trump criticized ABC News anchor David Muir over coverage of the project and its reported problems.
Trump argued that reports about the algae bloom failed to accurately describe what he believes caused the issue.
According to the president, the algae bloom “was also caused by Vandals” and has already been resolved.
“In other words, the story was FAKE NEWS, but heavily slanted away from the real cause of the problem, Vandalism,” Trump wrote.
Despite the latest round of repairs, Trump expressed confidence that the work will soon be completed and that visitors will once again be able to enjoy the iconic Washington landmark.
“It will be fixed soon, and better than ever,” the president wrote.
The reflecting pool, which stretches from the Lincoln Memorial toward the Washington Monument, remains one of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks. While repairs continue, the administration has indicated that the closure is temporary and that work is focused on addressing the issues that emerged following the recently completed renovation project.
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