The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s long renovation moved into a new phase after President Donald Trump said the final coat of blue sealant was applied Wednesday, with water beginning to return for the first time since April. Court documents say refilling w
For the first time in months, water began to return to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Thursday—after a dry stretch that followed the pool’s painting in “American flag blue.”
Crews were still working on the 2. 028-foot-long pool Thursday. but the mood shifted later in the day as water started to flow back into the basin for the first time since April. A video shared on X showed a small amount of water beginning to bubble out into the pool. In a Reuters video from the center of the pool, a thin layer of water appeared and spread outward.
That moment matters because the renovations have been slow-moving compared with how the project was first pitched. Trump said at the outset that the work would take just a few weeks to complete. but the project carries a $13.1 million price tag and a later government contract listed a May 22 end date. Now, with the final sealant reportedly applied Wednesday and water starting to return Thursday, the timeline has moved again.
The pool itself is still only partially addressed. After it was painted “American flag blue” per Trump’s request, it remained dry on Thursday morning. It will take 6.5 million gallons to fill the entire pool.
With the final coat of sealant added Wednesday. construction appears to be done on the pool. leaving the slower task of refilling. Court documents filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia say. “The pool will begin to be refilled with water no later than this coming Sunday. June 7.”.
The work isn’t confined to the water basin. Trump said the exterior—specifically the walking paths alongside the pool—will soon be cleaned and sandblasted.
Trump has also set a finish line tied to a national milestone: he has said multiple times that the renovations will be complete by July 4, when the country celebrates its 250th birthday with events throughout the National Mall.
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Trump National Mall renovations U.S. District Court blue sealant 6.5 million gallons $13.1 million project June 7 refilling July 4 deadline