Crews have begun draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington once more as part of ongoing renovation efforts led by former President Donald Trump. The project, initially aimed to be completed by July 4 to coincide with the United States' 250th birthday, has extended beyond that timeline.

Trump had directed the pool's bottom to be painted "American flag blue" and initially suggested the renovations would last a century. However, within weeks of the project's completion last month, the pool suffered from an algae bloom and peeling of the new coating.

Trump attributed the peeling to vandalism. Court documents revealed that the National Park Service reported to the US Park Police an incident on June 9 where a sharp knife or razor cut the pool's new liner. Additionally, at least three individuals have been charged with misdemeanors for allegedly removing pieces of paint from the pool.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, whose agency oversees the National Park Service, told conservative podcaster Katie Miller that the current draining was planned. He also noted that the water might still contain debris from the extensive Independence Day fireworks over the National Mall.

The renovation contracts include a $1.7 million (€1.4 million) agreement with Ohio-based Green Water Solutions (also known as Greenwater Services) to install a water-purification system, and a $14.7 million (€12.8 million) contract awarded to Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings to repaint and waterproof the pool's concrete floor.

Sources