President Trump on Sunday declared that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is “almost completely fixed,” reiterating his claim that the iconic Washington landmark had been vandalized despite evidence pointing to construction defects.
In a Truth Social post, Trump shared an aerial photograph showing the pool and the surrounding National Mall, including a patch of grass near the World War II Memorial where the numbers “86 47” had been etched. He wrote, “Look what VANDALS did to the grass connecting the vandalized World War II Monument and the vandalized Reflecting Pool, which will be opened again, and better than ever, shortly.”
The president doubled down on his assertion that the pool’s problems were not the result of poor workmanship. “Anybody who thinks the Reflecting Pool wasn’t vandalized should go back to Law School!” he added. “The grass is being replaced shortly, and the Reflecting Pool is almost completely fixed, including the various inflow and outflow pipes, which we were saving for the end of the year, but will do now.”
The state of the Reflecting Pool has been a flashpoint for months. Trump has repeatedly promoted the multimillion-dollar renovation project, but after its completion, the pool appeared gray and peeling, with algae blooms visible. Federal prosecutors initially charged several individuals, including former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, alleging they deliberately damaged the pool. However, those charges were later dropped, with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro citing botched renovations as the cause. Trump subsequently accused Pirro of having “choked” in her decision to drop the case.
On Friday, Trump quoted the Interior Department in saying the renovations were “coming out great!” and noted that the pool had been partially refilled to allow National Park Service staff to flush the piping system. He also issued a plea: “NO VANDALS PLEASE.”
The “86 47” markings have become a symbol of opposition to Trump, with “86” being a term used in the food service industry to mean something is removed or no longer available. The president has claimed the numbers represent a threat, a stance that led to the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey after he shared a photo of seashells arranged to spell the numbers. Comey has moved to dismiss the case.
Trump’s latest comments come as he continues to face scrutiny over his handling of the pool’s restoration, with critics pointing to the contrast between his claims and the federal investigation. The controversy has also drawn attention to the broader political divisions over Trump’s leadership, as the midterm elections approach.
Despite the administration’s assurances, the pool’s condition remains a point of contention. The National Park Service has not released an independent assessment, and the public is left to wonder whether the historic landmark will ever be restored to its former glory.
