How Trump is changing Washington, from monuments to the White House

Key Points:

• Washington, D.C. is undergoing significant changes under President Donald Trump's administration, including the indefinite deployment of 5,000 National Guard troops since August 2025 to address crime, a presence expected to continue through 2026.
• The Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) drastically cut federal spending by eliminating 90% of foreign aid contracts, shuttering the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and contributing to regional unemployment spikes.
• Trump’s image has been prominently displayed on government buildings, such as the Departments of the Interior and Justice, symbolizing his influence and efforts to assert control over federal agencies traditionally independent from the White House.
• The Reflecting Pool near the Lincoln Memorial was controversially painted "American flag blue," leading to environmental issues and vandalism, while plans for a 20-story gold-adorned Trump arch threaten to disrupt historic sightlines in the city.
• Other notable changes include the temporary renaming of the Kennedy Center to include Trump’s name, ongoing construction at the White House for a new ballroom, the paving over of the historic Rose Garden, and the removal of Black Lives Matter Plaza following political pressure.