Crews are again draining the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool as President Donald Trump's problem-plagued effort to renovate the site pushes past its initial July 4 deadline. The project, intended to mark the nation's 250th birthday, is part of the president's mission to beautify Washington DC.
Although the president initially suggested the renovations would last a century, problems began quickly after the work reached completion last month. The water was beset by an algae bloom, and pieces of the new coating on the bottom began peeling off. Trump had directed that the bottom be painted what he called American flag blue.
Trump has blamed the peeling on vandals, though critics allege the damage is the result of shoddy repair work.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, whose agency oversees the National Park Service, stated in an interview that this round of draining was planned. Burgum also noted that the water might still contain debris from an extensive Independence Day fireworks display over the National Mall.