Lawsuit Challenges Trump's Plan to Paint Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Blue
The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) has initiated legal action against the U.S. Department of the Interior concerning the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, filed on April 12 in Washington, D.C. TCLF contends that the choice of "American flag blue" paint breaches the National Historic Preservation Act. Earlier, Atlantic Industrial Coatings secured a no-bid contract for the renovation work, which commenced in mid-April and is expected to conclude by May 22. Disputes have arisen regarding the project cost, with President Trump claiming it’s between $1.5 million and $2 million, while official estimates suggest it exceeds $13 million.
Key facts
- The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) filed a lawsuit on April 12 in U.S. District Court in Washington.
- The suit targets the U.S. Department of the Interior over painting the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool blue.
- The Department awarded a no-bid contract to Atlantic Industrial Coatings in early April.
- President Trump claimed he chose the blue shade and asked contractors for a good price.
- TCLF argues the color change violates Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
- The pool opened in 1924 and has remained aesthetically consistent; a 1999 report noted dark tile.
- Trump posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social on May 1 showing him and others in the pool.
- Work began mid-April and is scheduled to finish by May 22; contract cost exceeds $13 million.
Entities
Artists
- Charles Birnbaum
- Charles A. Birnbaum
Institutions
- Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF)
- U.S. Department of the Interior
- Atlantic Industrial Coatings
- Washington Litigation Group
- National Park Service
- Lincoln Memorial
- Washington Monument
- The Cultural Landscape Foundation
- National Register of Historic Places
- AIA
- White House
- Interior Department
- U.S. Institute of Peace
- Kennedy Center
- Department of Justice
Locations
- Washington D.C.
- United States
- Virginia
- Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
- National Mall
- New Canton
- Washington Monument
- Lincoln Memorial
- White House East Wing
- Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building
- Eisenhower Executive Office Building
- Robert C. Weaver Federal Building
- Washington
- East Wing
- Arlington Cemetery
- Lafayette Square
- White House
- Rose Garden