The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is back in business. Or is it? Read on for the latest in the never-ending saga surrounding one of the premier attractions on the National Mall.

Contradictory Information About the Status of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Just one week after President Donald Trump announced that the renovations on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool were complete, the National Park Service (NPS) is sending a different message. On Tuesday, October 6, Trump said that the work on the pool was done. However, on Monday, October 12, the NPS posted a sign on a security fence around the pool notifying visitors that work was still underway.

The sign read that “The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is being refilled as the National Park Service and contractors put the final touches on a historic effort to clean, repair, and beautify this iconic national landmark," contradicting the president's comments last week that it was finished. The notice from the NPS also detailed that “As part of the normal refilling process, the water may temporarily appear cloudy before clearing." While visitors can peek through the security fencing to see some of the pool, they are not allowed to get closer.

There has also been contradicting information coming from the primary contractor hired to lead the renovation. Atlantic Industrial Coatings updated its website on Monday, October 5, announcing that all of the warranty repairs had been completed. It was just two days later that The Washington Post reported that workers were still on site finishing the work.

The president has regularly accused former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden of neglecting the pool's maintenance. First installed on the National Mall in front of the Lincoln Memorial in 1923, the pool underwent a significant renovation in 2012 under the direction of the Obama White House.

History of Reflecting Pool's Renovation

The latest news about the pool's status comes after months of controversy and delays with the renovation. The saga began earlier this year when the Trump administration announced that it was going to repaint the pool "American Flag Blue" ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary on July 4. The decision to repaint the bottom of the reflecting pool was part of a more comprehensive series of changes that have been rolled out for the White House and the nation's capital. Altogether, all of the renovations announced by the Trump administration total over $1 billion.

As with most of the changes to the landscape of Washington, D.C., the repainting of the reflecting pool did not come without controversy.  The pool's makeover has been plagued by several issues over the last few months, including leakage problems, a pervasive algae bloom, and the peeling of the new blue coating.

The pool had to be drained and resurfaced to fix the structural problems that were leading to the leaking. However, it was then discovered that more repairs were needed to fix the coating. It was reported last month that the White House had to invest another $2.65 million in another vendor to address the water supply and irrigation systems.  

The story took another turn over the summer when the Trump administration accused vandals of purposely destroying the pool and causing the paint to peel. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said that “Numerous other events took place, including using an acid-like material on the just installed grass adjoining the Pool.....There was substantial other damage to the Reflecting Pool, also but, unfortunately, there is no video or proof, other than the damage itself.”

In August, the president conceded that there had been mistakes made during the renovation process, saying that “some contractor error done by rushing the job” happened as crews raced to get the remodel done in time for the nation's birthday.  At the time, the president said that a “very small area” of the pool was affected, explaining that the damage was “relatively inconsequential.”

Atlantic Industrial Coatings corroborated this assertion from the president, acknowledging that “human oversight," such as not applying enough primer and using two incompatible chemicals, caused the new blue liner to peel and tear. While the contractor has admitted to its mistakes, Trump continues to blame vandals for some of the damage.

Three-time Olympian David Hearn, a former canoeist, was initially accused of damaging the pool, leading to his arrest.  Federal prosecutors dropped the felony charges against Hearn in August after not producing enough evidence.

More recently, a judge ruled on October 1 that prosecutors could not refile these charges, ending the accusations once and for all. In the order, Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman criticized the government for bringing the charges in the first place, saying “Because of the extraordinary possibility that Mr. Hearn will nonetheless face a meritless, politically motivated prosecution, the Court has an obligation to protect him from the uncertainty that a dismissal without prejudice entails, and from what, objectively, would be harassment.”

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