Here’s what Trump team had to say.
President Donald Trump’s administration says one of America’s most recognizable landmarks has been restored after weeks of criticism over murky green water at the iconic Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced Sunday that the algae problem has been completely eliminated following the completion of a $14.6 million restoration project, calling the earlier discoloration only a temporary setback during the refill process.
Speaking during an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, Burgum said visitors arriving at the National Mall today will see a dramatic difference.
“The algae is all gone,” Burgum said. “If you go down there today and look at it, it is completely clean and clear.”
According to Burgum, the brief algae bloom occurred while workers were refilling the Reflecting Pool after months of renovation work. He emphasized that the issue did not represent a failure of the project but rather a short-term challenge that has now been resolved.
The Interior Department also installed new nanobubbler technology designed to continuously circulate oxygen throughout the water, helping prevent algae from returning in the future. Officials believe the upgraded system will provide a long-term solution instead of relying on repeated chemical treatments.
The restoration attracted national attention after visitors shared photos showing muddy green water where millions of tourists expect to see the famous mirror-like reflection of the Lincoln Memorial. Images quickly spread across social media, leading critics to question the project’s cost and effectiveness.
Administration officials, however, consistently maintained that the water would clear once the new filtration systems became fully operational.
Another noticeable change included repainting the basin floor in what officials described as an “American flag blue,” a color chosen to enhance the appearance of the water once the renovation was complete.
President Trump highlighted the successful cleanup over the weekend by posting updated photographs of the Reflecting Pool on Truth Social. The images showed crystal-clear water surrounding one of the nation’s most visited memorials, a sharp contrast to pictures that circulated only days earlier.
The administration says restoring the Reflecting Pool is part of a much broader effort to improve the appearance of Washington, D.C., and preserve America’s historic landmarks.
“We restored 48 monuments, 22 fountains, eliminated a thousand graffiti sites. The capital’s looking better than ever,” Burgum said during the interview.
Administration officials argue that those improvements deserve greater public attention than the temporary algae problem that dominated headlines during the renovation.
The Trump administration has also alleged that acts of vandalism complicated the project. Officials claim individuals poured chemicals into the water and damaged an industrial liner that helps waterproof the basin while reducing leaks.
Federal authorities have charged several people in connection with the alleged vandalism, including former Olympian canoeist David Hearn.
Hearn has denied intentionally damaging government property, saying he merely touched the water before being arrested. Nevertheless, a federal grand jury returned an indictment last week, allowing the case to move forward in court.
When asked about Hearn’s defense, Burgum declined to discuss the specific evidence but stressed that every American is equally accountable under the law.
“You can be a former governor, you can be a former this, you can be a former that, but just because you were a former something doesn’t exclude you from the law today,” Burgum said.
He added that the justice system—not public opinion—will determine guilt or innocence, but maintained that anyone found responsible for damaging federal property or defacing national monuments should face appropriate legal consequences.
With the Reflecting Pool now restored, administration officials say visitors can once again enjoy one of the capital’s most famous landmarks as it was intended to be seen. They also argue that the successful renovation demonstrates the administration’s broader commitment to preserving American history, protecting national monuments, and improving the nation’s capital ahead of the country’s continuing America 250 celebrations.