Trump is leaving DC better than he found it.
President Donald Trump revealed a major new initiative Wednesday, announcing that he and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum will restore and “fix” the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool — a historic American landmark many visitors say has suffered years of neglect.
In a video posted on Truth Social, Trump shared footage of workers inspecting the pool, set to Andrea Bocelli’s “Time to Say Goodbye.” The music underscored a powerful message that appeared at the end of the clip: “Make D.C. Beautiful Again.”
Trump told supporters, “Take a good look at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as it stands now. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and I are about to clean up this Biden-era mess, and you won’t be seeing this level of filth and incompetence for much longer!”
A Historic Landmark in Decline
The Reflecting Pool — completed in 1923 and located directly in front of the Lincoln Memorial — is one of the most visited sites in the nation’s capital.
According to the National Park Service, nearly 8.5 million Americans visited last year, making it one of the most photographed spots in Washington.
But longtime visitors and D.C. residents have noted worsening water quality, structural damage, and an overall decline in upkeep under the previous administration. Many conservatives blame years of weak leadership and misplaced priorities in the capital.
Interior Department Responds
While the Interior Department did not release additional specifics, officials confirmed they are “committed to this effort,” signaling that the cleanup is now officially underway. The National Park Service is also expected to play a major role in the restoration.
Trump’s Broader Effort to Clean Up Washington
Since returning to office in January, President Trump has made improving the nation’s capital one of his top priorities.
In March, he signed an executive order directing Burgum to:
- Remove unsafe homeless encampments
- Clean graffiti and vandalism on federal property
- Restore key historical locations
- Improve visitor safety and public access
To support these efforts, National Guard troops have been deployed across the District since August to assist with large-scale “beautification” operations.
A Return to Pride and Order
For millions of Americans — especially older voters who value tradition, national pride, and historic preservation — Trump’s move represents a return to dignity in Washington.
The Reflecting Pool cleanup is being seen as another step toward restoring the capital to what many believe it should always be: a clean, safe, patriotic symbol of American greatness.