Trump says Reflecting Pool repairs will be completed soon after second drainage

President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform on July 13 that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will be refilled and returned to service after a second drainage required to repair damage discovered at the bottom of the basin. The pool, which holds about 6.5 million gallons, was first emptied in April to replace a leaking basin and to apply a new "American Flag Blue" coating. After the initial work was finished in mid-June, the lining began to peel and algae growth was reported, prompting a second round of repairs that began on July 10.

Trump said the damage consisted of long slashes cut into the pool floor, which he attributed to vandalism. He added that the repairs would make the pool "better than ever" and that the work would be completed soon. At least three individuals, including former Olympian David Hearn, have been charged with property damage for allegedly removing pieces of the lining; all have pleaded not guilty.

The renovation contract was awarded to Atlantic Industrial Coatings LLC, which applied a polyurea coating intended to stop leaks. The project’s cost, initially estimated at $1.5 million, rose to more than $16 million by June, according to statements made by the president. The National Park Service and the Interior Department have not provided additional comment.

"We wanted to wait until after the July 4th weekend," Trump wrote in his post.

The Reflecting Pool, a feature of the Lincoln Memorial since 1923, has a history of maintenance challenges, with previous repair efforts by earlier administrations also encountering difficulties.