President Donald Trump visited the National Mall on Thursday to inspect the Reflecting Pool, driving his motorcade through the drained water feature. He described the ongoing restoration as fixing a “disaster” left by the Obama administration.
Standing on the pool’s floor, Trump touted a $1.8 million overhaul of the landmark, contrasting it with the $38 million spent under former President Barack Obama on a project he called a “construction nightmare” that leaked immediately after completion. The Reflecting Pool, which extends more than 2,000 feet between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, is a popular tourist destination and historic site.
Trump was joined by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to review a new industrial-strength sealant being applied to the pool. The president revealed he personally chose the color for the resurfaced pool, calling it “American Flag Blue.” He said the new coating would prevent leaks and last longer, adding, “The color was never good because basically it had a gray stone underneath. Now it’s going to have the great color. It’s going to last a long time and you’ll have no leak—guaranteed.”
While earlier estimates to repair the 2,400-foot-long pool ranged up to $355 million over several years, according to National Park Service documents, Trump claimed his team is completing the work in two weeks at a much lower cost. The National Park Service completed a major renovation of the pool in 2012 at an estimated cost of $30 million, addressing structural issues and leaks that had persisted for years.
The inspection was part of a broader effort to beautify the nation’s capital. Burgum said the Department of the Interior has recently cleared more than 1,000 graffiti sites and 82 homeless camps to improve safety and aesthetics in the city. Trump also previewed upcoming projects, including upgrades to the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft and a proposed Triumphal Arch, though specifics on timelines and funding were not provided.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
