Crews are again draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington as President Donald Trump’s efforts to revamp the body of water extend well past his initial goal of having it ready by 4 July to mark the country’s 250th birthday.
The president at first suggested his renovations would last a century. But, within weeks of the project originally reaching completion last month, the water was beset by an algae bloom and pieces of the new coating appeared to be peeling off the bottom.
Trump has blamed the peeling on vandals, though critics allege it's from shoddy repair work.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, whose agency oversees the National Park Service, told conservative podcaster Katie Miller in an interview released earlier this week that the new round of draining was planned.
He also said that the water might still contain debris from an extensive Independence Day fireworks display over the National Mall.
