The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC will be drained again for repairs after developing green algae blooms and peeling paint just weeks after a $14 million to $14.7 million renovation was completed around June 6, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. The renovation included installing a tinted polyurea liner and painting the pool bottom "Old Glory Blue" [8, 5, 6, 9].
Officials say the pool liner was cut with a sharp knife or razor on or before June 9, damaging the newly applied foam sealant and paint layers [8, 9]. In addition, about 70 fence post tops were thrown into the pool as further vandalism [8, 9]. President Donald Trump inspected the site by helicopter on June 21 and described the damage as "purposefully and criminally done," calling those responsible "sick, deranged people" [1, 3, 10, 11]. He said, "I just inspected it, and could only say to myself, and those gathered around me, WOW, who would do such a thing? SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE!" [1]
Trump announced June 20-21 that the water will be drained "as soon as possible" to conduct repairs and warned there are penalties of up to 10 years’ prison for vandalism [3, 4, 6, 10, 11]. US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro promised aggressive prosecution of anyone caught vandalizing or attempting to do so [1, 2, 6, 12]. At least five people have been arrested and five more cited since June 20 in connection with vandalism at the pool, including three-time Olympian David Hearn, charged with misdemeanor vandalism [1, 2, 8, 4, 6, 10, 9].
The National Park Service awarded the renovation contract without bidding to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, a Virginia company reportedly linked to Trump golf clubs [5, 6]. The 2,030-foot-long pool was built in the 1920s and stretches between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument [1, 2, 8, 3, 6].
The DC Water Authority issued a temporary permit on June 16 allowing the National Park Service to drain the pool water into local treatment facilities [6, 10]. However, officials say repairs may not be finished before the US 250th Independence Day celebrations on July 4, 2026 [11]. The National Park Service plans to drain the pool again after Independence Day to assess and fix the vandalism and algae damage [8, 11, 9].
