Reflecting Pool being drained – again – as Trump administration tries once more to fix landmark

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Undergoes Second Drainage in Three Months

Current Status and Initial Observations

Reflecting Pool being drained – Crews initiated the draining process for the historic Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Sunday, marking the second time in just three months that this iconic Washington D.C. landmark has been emptied. According to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who provided updates on the situation, the operation began following the scheduled July Fourth fireworks celebration. Burgum explained during an interview with Katie Miller—a conservative podcaster and spouse of President Trump’s deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller—that the timing aligned with their plans to address debris left behind by the pyrotechnic display.

When questioned regarding the timeline for this particular phase of renovations, the Interior Secretary offered limited specifics, providing only a general outline of the work ahead. He summarized the process in straightforward terms: removing the water, clearing away fireworks remnants, addressing any vandalism that had occurred, and subsequently refilling the basin. By Tuesday evening, residual water remained visible within the pool, leaving observers uncertain whether additional drainage would follow. Burgum had previously indicated over the weekend that a partial drainage might suffice for the current repair cycle.

Background of Recent Complications

This latest intervention arrives after several weeks of persistent difficulties have beset the beloved monument. Algae blooms, water that took on a distinctive green tint, a deteriorating pool bottom, and accusations of deliberate vandalism have collectively transformed the Reflecting Pool into a subject of widespread national attention. Various members of the Trump administration, including President Donald Trump himself, have attributed the damage to vandals who allegedly gashed the pool’s protective lining. However, these officials have not yet presented concrete evidence to substantiate their assertions.

In late June, the president announced his intention to drain the pool following the Independence Day holiday to facilitate necessary repairs. The administration has opted to retain the same contractor for this subsequent round of work: Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings. This company previously secured a no-bid contract valued at over fourteen million dollars to handle critical components of the restoration, including sealing the pool and painting its bottom surface in a shade of blue reminiscent of the American flag.

Contractor Perspectives and Cost Considerations

Eddie Gross, the proprietor of Atlantic Industrial Coatings, shared his thoughts with CNN regarding the projected timeline for his company’s portion of the repairs. He noted that “nothing has been set yet” concerning specific dates, and he declined to elaborate on either his contractual arrangements or the financial implications of supplementary repairs. Similarly, the Department of Interior failed to provide responses when queried about the schedule for this current phase of restoration efforts.

During his appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” program on Sunday, Burgum proposed that the repairs might proceed even if the pool remained only partially drained. He attempted to characterize the associated expenses as relatively modest. “It’s going to be a small number because the majority of the work was related to the labor and the materials for the liner,” Burgum explained. He further emphasized his confidence in the existing contractor, stating, “We’ll use the same company, because they did a fantastic job.”

Vandalism Claims and Motorcade Incident

Burgum also expressed confidence that the government could “absolutely” demonstrate that vandals were responsible for the damage, citing photographic evidence to support this position. Nevertheless, when pressed about whether these images actually depicted individuals inflicting harm on the pool, he sidestepped a direct response. Additionally, the secretary dismissed suggestions that President Trump’s decision to have his motorcade traverse the pool during renovations in May caused any harm to the site.

“No, I was with him when we came that night … We were driving in a Cadillac Escalade. It is one of the presidential fleet of cars,” Burgum recounted. He clarified that the vehicle used for this particular excursion was “substantially lighter” than the heavily armored presidential limousine famously known as “The Beast.” He continued, explaining that “The whole base level of this industrial rubber layer was not yet completed, and so there was no damage that night whatsoever.” He added that concerns about potential damage had been addressed before the presidential motorcade was permitted access to the area, concluding with assurance that “not a chance” existed for any harm to occur.

Additional Technical Considerations

Greenwater Services, another contractor participating in the overall project, had previously informed CNN that draining the pool would not disrupt their operational systems, which remain fully functional. Chas Antinone, who serves as president of Greenwater Services, told reporters that the company possesses the capability to temporarily shut down and subsequently restart their ozone nanobubbler technology as needed. Throughout this entire process, the various companies engaged in the renovation have found themselves thrust into the spotlight as ongoing issues with the Reflecting Pool continue to generate headlines across the nation.