Overview
- President Trump announced that work on East Potomac Golf Links will begin on Sept. 1 under the Department of the Interior with Tom Fazio as the course architect and the administration says the course will remain open to the public and able to host major tournaments.
- A federal judge has warned the administration not to start major work without prior court notice and groups including the National Links Trust and the D.C. Preservation League have filed lawsuits that seek to block or constrain the planned renovations.
- The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was refilled after a fast‑tracked resurfacing but soon developed an algae bloom and peeling of a new blue coating, and National Park Service court filings say part of the liner or caulk was cut with a sharp knife or razor.
- Interior officials report arrests, multiple police reports and short‑term remediation — hydrogen peroxide dosing, ozone 'nanobubbler' treatment and contractor patching — and NPS plans to drain the pool after July 4 for warranty repairs.
- Scrutiny of costs and contracts continues: the overhaul is publicly estimated at about $14–16 million, critics note no full replacement of century‑old circulation pipes, and a $1.7 million cleanup contract awarded without competitive bidding has drawn attention.