Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is being refilled again
Although charges were dropped in several cases, in remarks on Tuesday, the president again cited vandalism as a cause of the Reflecting Pool’s problems.
After a tumultuous summer of construction, peeling paint, vandalism claims, and arrests, the Reflecting Pool is once again being refilled.
As of Monday morning, water was lapping into the partly filled navy blue basin while fencing still encircled the pool.
A sign posted by the National Park Service read: “The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is being refilled as the National Park Service and contractors put the final touches on a historic effort to clean, repair, and beautify this iconic national landmark. As part of the normal refilling process, the water may temporarily appear cloudy before clearing.”
Last week, President Donald Trump told reporters that the second round of renovations for the Reflecting Pool was “totally complete” — necessary after the pool’s new “American flag blue” coating peeled because of what the Justice Department deemed a “botched” installation.
“The Reflecting Pool is totally complete, and we changed the old pipes,” the president told reporters Tuesday. “I’m going to visit.”
On Oct. 5, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, the contractor that was awarded a no-bid contract for the pool’s renovation, posted on its website: “All warranty repairs were completed Friday, 10/2/2026! It has been an honor to serve our great nation!”
Trump announced the pool’s renovation in the spring in anticipation of America 250 festivities on the National Mall. But problems quickly appeared: First, a massive algae bloom, and then the flaking coating. The administration initially blamed the pool’s problems on vandals, and several people, including former Olympian David Hearn, were arrested and charged.
The Justice Department dropped the case in July. On Oct. 1, a judge said federal prosecutors cannot refile charges against Hearn.
In remarks on Tuesday, the president again cited vandalism as a cause of the Reflecting Pool’s problems.
“We had vandalism there, and we have it about as vandal-proof as you can get,” Trump told reporters. “But only sick people do that, and we have their pictures.”
Jerad Johnson, 46, a Georgia pastor visiting D.C. with his family, admired the pool from the base of the Lincoln Memorial. He called the alleged vandalism “a disgrace.”
“The things that we’re trying to honor here are about more than an individual,” Johnson said. “Whether they appreciate or don’t appreciate our president, still respect the fact that this isn’t just about a person, it’s about our entire country, and our country’s history.”
As for the construction issues that led to the peeling paint: “When you’re trying to rush to get a project done by a certain date, that happens.”
Andrea Meisgeier, 53, visiting from San Diego, also stopped to watch the water rippling in. “I think it’s a complete waste of taxpayer money,” she said, referring to the renovation and revision of the work.
“You feel like it’s his city when you’re walking around in it,” said her son, 19-year-old college student Maxwell Meisgeier, referring to the president. “It’s not your city. It’s not the same.”
“It’s our city,” his mother added. “The citizens’.”
