PHOTOS: Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool drained again
Article excerpt
National Park Service authorities are nearly finished draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday afternoon, with new photos showing the water level subsiding and revealing the pool’s concrete surface. The draining follows weeks of sparring in the Beltway between protesters gathering at the pool and the Trump administration, as the water filled with algae […]
National Park Service authorities are nearly finished draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday afternoon, with new photos showing the water level subsiding and revealing the pool’s concrete surface.
The draining follows weeks of sparring in the Beltway between protesters gathering at the pool and the Trump administration, as the water filled with algae following President Donald Trump’s multimillion-dollar renovation of the facility. Trump had alleged several vandals caused extensive damage to the reflecting pool after the renovation, writing on Truth Social that a “300 foot long gash” was carved into the surface.
The Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that crews would drain the pool for a second time for repairs and cleanup following months of maintenance issues.
" data-large-file="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-11.jpg?w=696" height="683" width="1024" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-11.jpg?w=696" alt="The Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that crews would drain the pool for a second time for repairs and cleanup following months of maintenance issues." class="wp-image-4646499" srcset="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-11.jpg 3000w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-11.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-11.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-11.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-11.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-11.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-11.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-11.jpg?resize=696,464 696w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-11.jpg?resize=1068,712 1068w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-11.jpg?resize=1920,1280 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px">The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Washington. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that crews would drain the pool for a second time to repair and clean it following months of maintenance issues. (Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner)
“Of the MANY Statues and Fountains that we rebuilt, renovated, cleaned, and fixed, the only one that was Vandalized was the Reflecting Pool, which is being taken care of, ASAP!” Trump wrote on Truth Social in June.
Law enforcement officials began patrolling the pool on the National Mall in response to the controversies.
The Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that crews would drain the pool for a second time for repairs and cleanup following months of maintenance issues.
" data-large-file="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-6.jpg?w=696" height="683" width="1024" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-6.jpg?w=696" alt="The Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that crews would drain the pool for a second time for repairs and cleanup following months of maintenance issues." class="wp-image-4646494" srcset="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-6.jpg 3000w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-6.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-6.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-6.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-6.jpg?resize=1536,1025 1536w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-6.jpg?resize=2048,1366 2048w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-6.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-6.jpg?resize=696,464 696w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-6.jpg?resize=1068,712 1068w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-6.jpg?resize=1920,1281 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px">The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Washington. (Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner)
A TIMELINE OF TRUMP’S $14 MILLION REFLECTING POOL MAKEOVER
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced last week that the pool would be drained for cleaning and repairs after the district’s Independence Day celebration.
The Washington Examiner’s photographer at the scene saw the pool’s floor peeling, but no visible signs of a large gash as it was being drained Monday afternoon. The center of the surface was still covered by draining water when the photos were taken.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that crews would drain the pool for a second time for repairs and cleanup following months of maintenance issues. (Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner)
" data-large-file="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-8-e1783970718255.jpg?w=696" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-8.jpg?w=696" alt="The Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that crews would drain the pool for a second time for repairs and cleanup following months of maintenance issues." class="wp-image-4646496">The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Washington. (Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner)
The Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that crews would drain the pool for a second time for repairs and cleanup following months of maintenance issues.
" data-large-file="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-2.jpg?w=696" height="683" width="1024" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-2.jpg?w=696" alt="The Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that crews would drain the pool for a second time for repairs and cleanup following months of maintenance issues." class="wp-image-4646490" srcset="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-2.jpg 3000w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-2.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-2.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-2.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-2.jpg?resize=1536,1025 1536w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-2.jpg?resize=2048,1366 2048w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-2.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-2.jpg?resize=696,464 696w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-2.jpg?resize=1068,712 1068w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-2.jpg?resize=1920,1281 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px">The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Washington. (Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner)
The Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that crews would drain the pool for a second time for repairs and cleanup following months of maintenance issues.
" data-large-file="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-5.jpg?w=696" height="683" width="1024" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-5.jpg?w=696" alt="The Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that crews would drain the pool for a second time for repairs and cleanup following months of maintenance issues." class="wp-image-4646493" srcset="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-5.jpg 3000w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-5.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-5.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-5.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-5.jpg?resize=1536,1025 1536w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-5.jpg?resize=2048,1366 2048w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-5.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-5.jpg?resize=696,464 696w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-5.jpg?resize=1068,712 1068w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-5.jpg?resize=1920,1281 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px">The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Washington. (Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner)
The Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that crews would drain the pool for a second time for repairs and cleanup following months of maintenance issues.
" data-large-file="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-3.jpg?w=696" height="683" width="1024" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-3.jpg?w=696" alt="Reflecting Pool" class="wp-image-4646491" srcset="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-3.jpg 3000w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-3.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-3.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-3.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-3.jpg?resize=1536,1025 1536w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-3.jpg?resize=2048,1366 2048w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-3.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-3.jpg?resize=696,464 696w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-3.jpg?resize=1068,712 1068w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071326_WEX_REFLECTING_POOL-3.jpg?resize=1920,1281 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px">The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as seen on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Washington. (Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner)