Preservation advocates filed suit in federal court arguing the planned blue resurfacing of the National Mall’s Reflecting Pool would permanently alter the historic character of the landmark.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A preservation nonprofit has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to stop President Donald Trump’s plan to repaint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in a bright blue finish, arguing the renovation would dramatically alter one of the nation’s most recognizable historic landscapes.
In a court complaint, the group contended that the redesign would undermine the historic intent of the memorial grounds and violate federal preservation law.
“The vivid blue coating will fundamentally alter the visual and experiential character of the pool and the broader Lincoln Memorial Grounds landscape,” the lawsuit states.
According to the filing, the organization argues the new appearance would make the landmark resemble “a large swimming pool rather than the reflective civic landscape it was designed to be.”
The legal challenge follows ongoing work by the Trump administration to renovate the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, a project the president has publicly defended as both cost-effective and visually necessary.
As first detailed in a Politico report, the preservation group accused the National Park Service of bypassing requirements under the National Historic Preservation Act by beginning work on the resurfacing project without proper review procedures.
The lawsuit points to prior National Park Service documentation describing the original darker basin color as a deliberate architectural choice intended to create deeper reflections and a more contemplative atmosphere surrounding the Lincoln Memorial.
“The dark grey, achromatic basin was not incidental to the design. It was the design,” the complaint stated, citing a 1999 Park Service report.
President Trump has repeatedly criticized earlier renovations conducted under the Biden administration, calling the Reflecting Pool unattractive and poorly maintained.
Last month, Trump defended the redesign while announcing the restoration project, saying the pool had become “filthy” and needed substantial repairs.
“You’re going to end up with a beautiful, beautiful reflecting pool, the way it’s supposed to be,” Trump told reporters. “Much better than it ever was, actually.”
The president has described the new color scheme as “American flag blue.”
According to the administration, the current renovation is expected to cost approximately $1.5 million, a figure Trump has contrasted with the roughly $34 million spent during prior renovations completed under former President Barack Obama.
The same preservation organization previously filed legal action attempting to stop construction of Trump’s privately funded White House ballroom project.
Last week, Trump personally inspected the ongoing work by driving his motorcade through the drained Reflecting Pool to meet with contractors and review the resurfacing progress, as seen in this X post video.
The lawsuit now asks a federal judge to immediately halt the repainting effort while the case proceeds through court.
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