Trump Orders Second Reflecting Pool Fix as Paint Peels and Algae Returns

A Costly Renovation Unravels on the National Mall

Just weeks after the Trump administration declared victory on a high-profile renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, the landmark is heading back under repair. President Donald Trump said Sunday that he had inspected the pool and that work will begin "immediately" to fix the landmark, which has been beset by problems since it recently underwent a $14 million renovation. The announcement marks an embarrassing second act for a project that was supposed to be a showpiece ahead of America's 250th anniversary celebrations.

Beginning in early April, Trump boasted he was going to fix the reflecting pool, and claimed the repairs — including sealing the pool and painting it "American flag blue" — would cost about $1.8 million and be finished by July 4, 2026. The renovation ultimately cost more than $16 million — $4 million more than the estimated cost. Trump chose the color, contractor, and other factors without typical reviews by federal agencies, opportunity for public comment, or congressional approval. Atlantic Industrial Coatings, which had previously performed work at Trump National Golf Club, was given its first-ever federal contract — a no-bid contract — to fix leaks and waterproof the pool's concrete bottom.

Green Water, Peeling Paint, and Competing Explanations

Just a day after the reservoir was filled with water, algae was already visible from the water's edge. The Interior Department said at the time that the algae was "residual" and a normal part of the early process of restarting water flow. Within days, however, clumps of algae took over the pool, prompting the administration to send in workers to vacuum it out, install a filtration system known as the "ozone nanobubbler," and dump in gallons of hydrogen peroxide. Then came a second problem: blue material at the bottom of the pool began peeling off. It remains unclear whether the material is paint or sealant, or what caused it to come up.

Scientists say the renovation itself may have made algae problems worse. "The new, darker interior surface is going to absorb more sunlight," said pool specialist Steve Goodale. "It is going to result in water that's warmer, and that ultimately is going to lead to more prolific algae growth." Algal biotechnology expert Alla Silkina of Swansea University explained that darker surfaces could contribute to conditions that favor growth, noting that "darker surfaces can absorb more solar radiation and increase local water temperatures," though she stressed that nutrient availability, water residence time, and species composition are often the primary factors controlling bloom development.

Vandalism Claims and Arrests Draw Scrutiny

Trump claimed, without providing evidence, that vandals damaged the algae-plagued pool, and said police arrested "many additional people" for the vandalism — though one person told reporters he was merely touching a piece of partially detached blue material from the recent renovation. An administration official said that as of Saturday night, five individuals had been arrested for vandalism, and five others had been issued citations. Multiple media outlets have noted there is no evidence to support the vandalism claim.

Atlantic Industry Coatings, which completed the lining job, confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the Reflecting Pool would need to be drained to complete repairs, and that work would be covered under the project warranty. The pool's troubles are not entirely unprecedented. By the 1980s, the pool was already deteriorating badly, with officials pouring concrete into the base to patch damage. In the 2000s, it was losing hundreds of thousands of gallons per week due to leaks and structural failure, ultimately triggering a full drain and reconstruction between 2010 and 2012. Algae also resurfaced in the reflecting pool immediately after it reopened from that last major renovation in 2012, forcing the National Park Service to drain it, refill it, and recalibrate its systems.

Racing the Clock Before the Fourth of July

The Reflecting Pool sits between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument and has been part of the National Mall since 1923. Stretching more than 2,000 feet, it is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the nation's capital and has hosted major moments in American history, including the 1963 March on Washington. With America's 250th birthday just around the corner, the pool has become something far more complicated than a scenic backdrop.

The warranty coverage from the contractor provides some financial relief, but the timeline is tight. Ozone nanobubbling is generally effective only as a temporary solution for algae blooms. Longer-term fixes would have to address what makes the Reflecting Pool so ideal for algae — including its depth, darker color, and inflow of nitrogen and phosphorus. Whether a second round of repairs can transform the pool into the gleaming centerpiece the administration envisioned — before the fireworks go up on July 4th — remains very much an open question.