FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 29, 2026

Pool problems: Upgrade goes downhill at National Mall landmark in Washington

Abraham Lincoln's marble statue in our national capital now overlooks a renovation project that cost more than $16 million so far and turned into an embarrassing failure. President Trump in April announced work to reseal and paint the century-old Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's concrete basin, an upgrade timed for America's 250th birthday on July 4. But it has been nothing but a headache since being refilled three weeks ago.

"The Reflecting Pool seems to be rejecting its makeover," The New York Times says. First, the new blue paint job appeared uneven. Then, an algae bloom turned the water bright green. Next, large chunks of coating peeled off the basin, located between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. It will be drained a second time for additional work.

Trump claims, without evidence, that vandalism damaged the new paint. Some outsiders speculate that damage may have occurred when a presidential motorcade drove through the 2,000-foot-long pool so he could inspect the work before it was refilled. National Guard soldiers and National Park Service police now patrol the newly fenced attraction, which draws 24 million visitors annually.

The shallow, rectangular Reflecting Pool, dedicated in 1922, is among several projects the president has ordered to remodel the capital. He demolished the White House East Wing to build a $250-million ballroom and proposes an elaborate arch in a traffic circle between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

President posts: "Work will begin immediately on fixing the seriously vandalized Reflecting Pool. I just inspected it." – June 21 on Truth Social site .

Republican senator says: "The Reflecting Pool is one of those things that has been in need of renovation for a very long time." -- Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma

Blogger posts: "The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is an awe-inspiring site. . . . It mostly evokes laughter these days." – Lyz Lenz, Iowa writer

Front Page Talking Points Archive

Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.