A historic preservation group has filed a lawsuit seeking to halt Donald Trump's renovation of the Lincoln Memorial's reflecting pool, alleging the project violates the National Historic Preservation Act. The Cultural Landscape Foundation filed the suit on Monday, requesting an emergency order to stop the overhaul, which involves replacing the pool's 'gray stone' appearance with an industrial-strength blue coating.
The lawsuit argues that the dark grey basin was integral to the original design and that the renovation breaches federal law governing changes to historic properties. The case targets the US Department of the Interior, which oversees the project. The department defended the renovation, stating that Trump has done more to enhance the nation's capital than any previous president.
Trump announced the nearly $7 million project in April, describing it as 'fantastic' and 'really beautiful'. He was reportedly motivated to act after a German friend criticised the pool's condition. The president's motorcade made an unannounced visit to inspect the work.
This is not the first legal challenge to Trump's Washington projects. Renovations to city golf courses and a White House ballroom have also faced lawsuits. A federal judge blocked above-ground construction of the ballroom in March, but an appeals court later lifted the injunction, allowing work to continue pending litigation.
