President Donald Trump has announced an immediate restoration of the National Mall's Reflecting Pool, which has been plagued by algae blooms and structural decay. Speaking at a press conference, Trump called the pool an “embarrassment” and promised to “fix it fast, like they do in London.”
The move comes after British heritage experts from Historic England and the National Trust offered unsolicited conservation advice to the National Park Service, which oversees the iconic water feature. The pool, built in 1922 and stretching nearly 2,000 feet between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, has suffered from persistent algae, cracked concrete, and a malfunctioning recirculation system.
“The algae is a disgrace,” Trump said. “We’re going to drain it, scrub it, and refill it with crystal-clear water. The Brits have some good ideas, but we’ll do it bigger and better.” The White House confirmed that a private contractor will begin work within 30 days, with a budget of $4.5 million diverted from existing infrastructure funds.
UK experts have emphasised a slow, careful approach to avoid damaging the pool’s historic fabric. Dr. Harriet Walker, a conservation architect with Historic England, stated in a briefing: “We recommend a phased restoration using traditional lime mortar and biological controls for algae. Rushed works risk further structural harm.” The National Park Service has not formally accepted UK advice, though a spokesperson said they would “consider international expertise.”
The Reflecting Pool has been a symbol of national pride and protest. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech from the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, with the pool as a backdrop. Its deterioration has been a source of bipartisan frustration. In 2016, the Obama administration allocated $2 million for assessment, but full repair stalled.
Senator Elizabeth Warren criticised the Trump announcement as a “distraction from larger infrastructure failures.” She said: “The Reflecting Pool is important, but we have bridges, roads, and water systems across the country in far worse shape. This is a photo op.”
Trump dismissed such criticism, noting that the pool “will be done right, and it will be beautiful.” He added that he was open to “any advice from the UK or anybody who knows about water.” The restoration is expected to take 18 months, with the pool open for the 2026 bicentennial celebrations.
