A historic preservation group has filed a lawsuit seeking to halt Donald Trump's ongoing renovation of the Lincoln Memorial's reflecting pool, marking the latest legal challenge to the US president's efforts to remake Washington DC landmarks.
Lawsuit Alleges Violation of Historic Preservation Act
The Cultural Landscape Foundation filed the lawsuit on Monday, alleging that the renovation violates the National Historic Preservation Act, a 1996 law that outlines procedures for changes to historic properties. The nonprofit is seeking an emergency order to stop the Trump administration's overhaul, which focuses on replacing the pool's 'gray stone' appearance with an industrial-strength coating in the color of a blue swimming pool.
'The dark grey, achromatic basin was not incidental to the design,' the lawsuit stated. 'It was the design.'
Administration Defends Project
The case was brought against the US Department of the Interior, the executive agency overseeing the renovation. In a statement, the department said that Trump 'has done more to make our nation's capital a shining beacon than any other president in the history of this country.'
Trump announced the project in April, saying 'it's going to be fantastic' and 'really beautiful.' As the project—planned to cost nearly $7 million—got underway, Trump's motorcade took an unannounced trip to see the project up close.
Trump has said he was motivated to oversee the renovation after a friend visiting from Germany criticized the condition of the reflecting pool. 'He said, 'It's filthy, dirty. The water is disgusting-looking. It's not representative of the country,'' Trump told reporters at a White House event.
Other Legal Challenges
Some of the president's other projects in Washington, including renovations to the city's golf courses and construction of a White House ballroom, have also drawn legal challenges. A federal judge on 31 March blocked above-ground construction of Trump's ballroom, writing that 'unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop!' An appeals court later lifted the injunction, allowing construction of the ballroom to proceed while litigation continues.
