Washington, D.C.’s man-made reservoir, a centerpiece of West Potomac Park and the National Cherry Blossom Festival
Since mid May, multiple outlets have reported that the Justice Department has reached a settlement resolving President Trump’s $10bn lawsuit against the IRS, creating a $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund and barring existing IRS audits of Trump, his family and affiliates. Critics, courts and lawmakers have raised legal and ethical objections; separate reporting shows Trump is also directing high-profile public-works projects and White House renovations that are drawing criticism over cost and optics.
The president has announced a new plan for a promenade from the Lincoln Memorial down to the Potomac, part of broader renovations and symbolic site upgrades. Officials say the Lincoln Memorial project includes an immersive museum and other visitor‑experience upgrades, while other bold proposals—such as a 90,000‑square‑foot ballroom and a national garden—are in the works.
A $14m renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has produced a dark blue lining that is peeling and the water has returned to bright green from an algae bloom. Federal crews have been treating the water with ozone nanobubbles and hydrogen peroxide and are vacuuming algae, while the administration has claimed vandalism and reported arrests without publicly releasing evidence.