The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a iconic Washington D.C. landmark, has become a focal point of controversy under the Trump administration. The pool, currently undergoing rehabilitation, is plagued by peeling paint, green algae, and alleged vandalism. Trump has blamed the deterioration on vandals who he claims cut into the pool's surface and dumped fertilizer, though details remain vague. Several arrests have been reported, but evidence is thin.
A Stagnant Symbol of National Decline
The reflecting pool's condition serves as a painful metaphor for the state of the union, according to Los Angeles-based writer and humorist Dave Schilling. In a Guardian opinion piece, Schilling contrasts the pool's decay with other stalled Trump-era projects like the Kennedy Center renovations and a White House ballroom mired in litigation. He argues that these infrastructure efforts reflect a pattern of no-bid contracts, outlandish promises, and unchecked vanity, all of which are blamed on others when they fail.
Schilling writes: "It's a parade of no-bid contracts, outlandish promises and unchecked vanity. Naturally, all these problems have to be someone else's fault." He notes that the pool's troubles come amid broader political battles, such as voting rights legislation, which he calls a "close second" in the "World Cup of Political Football."
Vandalism Claims and Security Measures
According to Trump, vandals cut large gashes into the hard surface of the pool under cover of darkness and dumped fertilizer to accelerate algae growth. The administration has since erected a fence around the pool to prevent further incidents, though officials claim the fencing was always planned for Fourth of July festivities. Schilling sarcastically remarks, "Nothing screams 'beautification project' quite like a big fence."
The pool's contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, has faced questions about the durability of the lining if it can be cut with small tools. Schilling speculates about the tools used, from machetes to the sword from Final Fantasy VII, mocking the implausibility of stealthy vandals carrying heavy loads of fertilizer.
A Mirror of Political Paradox
Schilling concludes by reflecting on the absurdity of prioritizing a restrictive voting bill over affordable housing, and how the stagnant pool mirrors democratic progress. He asks: "Is this a perverted alternate dimension reflecting back at us or just another day in soul-crushing reality?" The piece underscores the deeper societal issues behind a seemingly trivial infrastructure problem.
