Donald Trump has said damage to the Reflecting Pool by the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC could mean the landmark has to be drained while repairs are carried out.
The pool was recently the subject of a multimillion-dollar refurbishment ahead of July 4 celebrations connected to the United States’ 250th anniversary. National Park Service notices show the work was carried out in spring 2026 and involved cleaning the pool, repairing joints and installing a new lining material.
As part of that upgrade, the water was painted ‘American flag blue’. Trump had said he wanted the pool to better reflect the Washington Monument and appear clearer from the memorial steps.
But the renovation has run into repeated setbacks. Soon after the work finished and the pool was refilled in June 2026, it turned a vivid green as algae spread through the water.
Different explanations have been suggested for the bloom, including leftover algae in the pipe system, warm weather, shallow water and the possibility that the darker finish trapped more heat, creating better conditions for growth. Park Service crews have also used hydrogen peroxide and other treatment methods in an attempt to oxidize the algae and clear it.
While the bloom has been fading in places, the fresh paint has also begun peeling away from the bottom of the pool.
Trump said contractors had reviewed the situation and suggested a large amount of water may need to be released so repairs can go ahead.
“We met with contractors today, will probably be forced to release and drain much of the water in order to do the necessary repairs, but will have them done as quickly as possible.”
The president also blamed ‘vandalism’ for the latest damage, although he did not provide direct evidence. He claimed someone had used a blade to slash the surface.
“some form of knife or blade, and put a 250 foot long gash into the beautiful facade of what took so much work, competence, and money to build and complete.”
He further alleged that ‘corrosive and destructive chemicals’ had been poured into the pool, and said the National Park Service had ‘arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nations magnificent Reflecting Poll [sic]’.
Authorities have publicly confirmed some arrests related to the area, including at least one person accused of entering the pool, but they have not substantiated Trump’s broader claims that organized vandalism caused the peeling and algae problems.
In the same Truth Social post, Trump praised the restoration work and said the site would be fixed again quickly.
“We are very proud of what we have done with this magnificent structure, and we will get it repaired, quickly, to an equal level of Beauty.”
Trump also commented on the people he says were responsible.
“Who would do such a thing? These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments. Years in jail!”
He then referred to people who had ‘destroyed the grass outside of the Pool’.
That appeared to reference an incident in which the message ’86 47′ was cut into the grass near the site. In hospitality, ’86’ is often used to mean something has run out or someone has been removed, while 47 points to Trump as the 47th president.
The reflecting pool has a long history as one of the National Mall’s most recognizable landmarks. It sits between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument and is known for the mirror-like reflection it creates when full and calm. The basin is also a familiar backdrop for major demonstrations and public gatherings, including the 1963 March on Washington.
The problems surrounding the reflecting pool were also mocked by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who posted on X:
“Found an imaginary problem, said only they could fix it, didn’t listen to experts, hired buddies who grifted millions, failed miserably, bragged how great it went. The entire Trump presidency in a nutshell.”