Trump touts $1.8M Reflecting Pool fix as Obama-era project 'disaster'
Fox News • • nation
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump inspected the National Mall's drained Reflecting Pool, highlighting a $1.8 million restoration project aimed at fixing issues he attributed to the previous Obama administration's costly and problematic overhaul.
- Trump emphasized that the new project uses an industrial-strength sealant with a color he personally selected, "American Flag Blue," which he claims will prevent leaks and improve the pool's appearance.
- The Reflecting Pool, a significant landmark between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, has faced chronic leaking and structural problems, with past repair estimates reaching up to $355 million over several years.
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum praised Trump's efforts in a broader campaign to beautify the nation's capital, noting the removal of over 1,000 graffiti sites and 82 homeless camps to enhance safety and aesthetics.
- The restoration contrasts with a 2012 National Park Service rehabilitation that cost approximately $30 million, with Trump asserting his team is completing the current work more quickly and cost-effectively.
