Nonprofit Sues Federal Government Over Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Project

The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF), a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., has filed a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service. The lawsuit, filed on May 11, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, aims to stop the project to resurface and paint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool blue ^[1][2].

The lawsuit claims that the Trump administration did not conduct the necessary reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act, specifically Section 106, before proceeding with the repainting of the Reflecting Pool. The pool is part of the National Mall Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places ^[1][3].

President Donald Trump has referred to the new color as “American flag blue” and personally visited the site. During his visit, he was driven across the drained and repainted Reflecting Pool in his motorcade ^[2][4].

The project’s cost has been a point of contention. Initially, President Trump estimated the cost to be between $1.5 million and $2 million. However, federal records indicate that the Interior Department plans to pay up to $13.1 million to Atlantic Industrial Coatings under a no-bid contract ^[1][5].

What Is Known

The Cultural Landscape Foundation has taken legal action to halt the painting project, citing a lack of compliance with historic preservation requirements. The Reflecting Pool is a significant historical site, and the lawsuit emphasizes the need for proper reviews ^[1][3].

President Trump has been actively involved in the project, describing the new color as “American flag blue” and inspecting the site personally ^[2][4].

What Remains Unclear

The final cost of the project remains uncertain. While reports suggest the cost could reach $13.1 million, this figure has not been officially confirmed by the Department of the Interior ^[5].