President Donald Trump visited the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Thursday to inspect its recent renovations, which include a new "American flag blue" protective coating. The president drove his motorcade across the drained pool to review the work, which he described as a significant improvement over the previous state of the landmark.
Trump was joined by several Cabinet members, including Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Border Czar Tom Homan, and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. He praised the new color, stating it was "never good" before but now has a "great color." The president also highlighted the cleanliness of the area, claiming the pool and its surroundings were previously "disgusting" and "filthy."
The Reflecting Pool has undergone several renovations in the past, including a $34 million project between 2010 and 2012 funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Trump contrasted the current $1.8 million project with the previous $38 million expenditure under the Obama administration, which he described as a "disaster." He also mentioned plans for further improvements to the Lincoln Memorial itself, though he did not provide specifics.
The Reflecting Pool, a major tourist attraction, has been a site of historic events and presidential ceremonies. Trump's visit comes amid broader efforts to renovate and maintain landmarks in Washington, D.C., including the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which he has proposed painting white.