New photos of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool reveal the latest mark President Donald Trump is having on iconic spaces in the nation's capital. A new ocean-blue swimming pool coating is being applied to the base of the Reflecting Pool, officials say, aiming for a cleaner, more picturesque scene for tourists and locals.
The renovations follow Trump's complaint that the 2,030-foot by 167-foot pool, built in 1922, never looked great because the stone on the bottom was not meant to be underwater for long periods. Trump told reporters he hired a contractor who built pools at his hotels and towers, boasting, "I have a guy who's unbelievable at doing swimming pools up the road."
The entire pool is now fenced off, drained, and covered with construction equipment, including port-a-potties, as D.C.'s peak tourism season begins. On Monday, college graduates took photos in front of the empty cement basin, where a small blue square of sprayed-on coating is taking shape at one end.
Tourists and Workers at the Site
Tourists photographed the Lincoln Memorial steps and Washington Monument backdrop, while others peered through fences, wondering about the project. No signage indicates the pool's eventual appearance. Workers were absent Monday, but tools were scattered. National Park Service personnel performed repair work nearby at the Vietnam War Memorial.
Photos by The Independent show the project's sheer scale, likely taking weeks or months. Only a few hundred square feet were covered by Monday afternoon, but the pool spans over 330,000 square feet.
Broader Renovations and Controversies
For D.C. officials, this is another headache from a president prioritizing physical transformation of the capital. Preservationists fear the new look will be tacky and artificial compared to the solemn old design. Trump has focused on construction and beautification at the White House and across D.C., including gold filigree in the West Wing and demolition of the historic East Wing for a planned ballroom.
Across the city, parks and public edifices undergo renovations under Trump's direction. His takeover involved federalizing the police force and deploying National Guard troops, many still present at transit stations. Federal law enforcement conducted immigration-related arrests, providing a militarized presence.
The initial pressure on D.C. residents was met with resistance, including confrontations with federal agents. One man threw a sandwich at an agent but was acquitted. A year later, law enforcement presence has spread nationwide, with two Americans killed in Minneapolis protesting ICE operations. Two Guardsmen were shot, one fatally, near a Metro station last year.
Other aspects of Trump's control remain, including massive banners with his face on federal buildings. Beautification projects like the Reflecting Pool carry signs indicating they are part of making the capital "safe and beautiful."
