Trump administration drains Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool again amid algae and vandalism controversy

Crews have begun a second drainage of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as the Trump administration confronts persistent problems with its $16 million renovation. Within weeks of completion, the pool developed a green algae bloom and the new "American flag blue" coating began peeling. President Donald Trump has blamed vandals, while critics point to shoddy workmanship. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told podcaster Katie Miller, “Drain the water, clean up the fireworks stuff, repair the vandalism that was done, fill it back up again.”

Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of damaging a two‑square‑foot section of the pool’s liner, a case his lawyers say makes “every American … alarmed” and is being used to scapegoat the administration. Three other individuals have also pleaded not guilty to misdemeanors for allegedly removing paint.

The project awarded Ohio‑based Green Water Solutions a $1.7 million contract for a purification system and Virginia‑based Atlantic Industrial Coatings $14.7 million for repainting. Democratic senators and House members are investigating the use of taxpayer funds. Meanwhile, Washington’s Meridian Hill Park cascading fountain, reopened under the same executive order, has temporarily run brown due to sediment from reopened water lines.