Reflecting Pool Drained Again Amid Trump Renewal Efforts

WHO:

CNN - Interior Secretary Doug Burgum

CNN - Katie Miller, conservative podcaster and wife of Trump’s deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller

Fox News - President Donald Trump

Fox News - Eddie Gross, owner of Atlantic Industrial Coatings

Fox News - Chas Antinone, president of Greenwater Services

WHAT:

CNN - Crews began draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool for the second time in three months.

CNN - The pool was drained to clean up fireworks debris, repair vandalism, and refill it.

CNN - The Trump administration has claimed that vandals caused damage to the Reflecting Pool.

Fox News - Vandalism of the Reflecting Pool reportedly began as early as June 9.

Fox News - The administration plans to paint the drained pool "American Flag Blue."

CNN - Atlantic Industrial Coatings received a no-bid contract worth more than $14 million for previous work on the pool.

WHERE:

CNN - Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, National Mall, Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

CNN - The pool was drained after the July Fourth fireworks show.

Fox News - The renovation is planned ahead of America's 250th anniversary.

WHY:

CNN - The draining and repairs are in response to algae blooms, green-hued water, and vandalism issues.

Fox News - Vandalism is believed to be a reaction to Trump's order to beautify the Reflecting Pool.

HOW:

CNN - The repairs will be conducted by the same contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings.

Fox News - The administration has increased camera surveillance around the Reflecting Pool to deter vandalism.

(UPDATED July 8, 2026 02:58 UTC)

Crews have begun draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool for the second time in three months to address issues like algae blooms and vandalism, which reportedly started around June 9. The Trump administration has awarded a no-bid contract worth over $14 million to Atlantic Industrial Coatings for the repairs, and plans to paint the drained pool "American Flag Blue" ahead of America's 250th anniversary. To deter further vandalism, the administration has increased camera surveillance around the Reflecting Pool, which is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.