WASHINGTON D.C. – The renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall had cost over $16 million as of June 28, 2026, exceeding President Donald Trump's initial estimate of $1.5 million. The work, which includes a separate $1.7 million contract for "nanobubblers" to combat algae, was ongoing, with both contracts issued on a no-bid basis citing the urgency to finish by July 4.

President Trump stated in April 2026 that the renovation would cost about $1.5 million and be completed before July 4. On May 7, 2026, President Trump's motorcade drove the length of the drained and freshly painted Reflecting Pool bed. He maintains that saboteurs attempted to damage the pool by removing its lining and introducing toxic chemicals.

Environmental scientist Patricia Glibert from the University of Maryland stated that the darker pool floor, a decision made by President Trump, means more heat will be absorbed, causing the water to warm faster. Glibert said, "Algae grow very well in warm water, and in June, the waters are warming very fast. More heat is going to be absorbed, and the water is going to warm faster."

As of June 28, 2026, a chain-link fence surrounded the Reflecting Pool, with a sign indicating "Danger: Explosives." Eight National Guardsmen were positioned near one corner of the fence. A National Guardsman stated the signage was in preparation for July 4 fireworks, some of which would be launched near the pool. Six workers were observed in the Reflecting Pool on June 26, 2026, wielding long-handled tools.

Dan Schnur, a former Republican strategist and teacher at the University of California, Berkeley, commented on the situation. "He can retreat to construction and real estate," Schnur said. "That's his safe space." One company involved in the contracts previously worked on a pool at a Trump club in Virginia, and another is owned by a trust led by a Trump donor. President Trump plans to drain the Reflecting Pool again after July 4 for additional repairs.

The renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool involves public funds. The project is part of President Trump's effort to prepare Washington for the nation's 250th anniversary. The Reflecting Pool is a site where Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963. Its ongoing repairs and maintenance, including issues related to algae growth, impact its public accessibility and appearance for national events, such as the July 4 celebrations.