Trump Administration Paints Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Blue
The nonprofit filed suit in federal court on May 11, 2026, alleging the project violates the National Historic Preservation Act by failing to consult required parties. Work applying a blue protective coating continued last week after President Trump selected the color American Flag Blue and visited the drained site.
Nbc NewsThe Cultural Landscape Foundation sued the Trump administration, the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeking to halt ongoing resurfacing of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Work applying a blue protective coating was underway on May 8 and May 9, 2026.
President Trump visited the drained pool last week relative to May 11, 2026, drove into it with his motorcade for an on-site inspection, selected the color “American Flag Blue,” and stated the project would be completed within two weeks. On site he said, “It’s going to be a beautiful color.
Trump announced the project on April 23, 2026. Last month relative to May 11, 2026, he said the work would take one week and $2 million and be finished in time for July 4, 2026. An Interior Department official stated that the 104-year-old pool leaks 16 million gallons a year and that the coating material being used is leak-proof.
Trump stated, “So we had estimates to fix it of about $355 million and it was going to take 3½ years... We saved about $600 million or something on the pool.
The Interior Department stated that the new blue color will enhance the visitor experience by making the pool reflect the grand Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. It stated that the National Park Service is investing in a state-of-the-art ozone nanobubbler filtration system and will have a dedicated crew to maintain the grounds from wildlife.
The department stated that the work will ensure the spot can be enjoyed for the 250th national birthday celebration and for many generations to come. It stated that the contract price reflects the effort necessary to expedite the timeline with more people, materials, equipment, and longer hours ahead of the 250th celebration.
It stated that the National Park Service chose the best company to expedite the repair of the iconic Reflecting Pool ahead of the 250 celebrations. The project was awarded through a no-bid contract to Atlantic Industrial Coatings for $2 million. Atlantic Industrial Coatings previously performed work at Trump’s property in Sterling, Virginia.
