What the Reflecting Pool tells us about Trump’s presidency

Americast

Wednesday, 5 August 2026 - 25 minutes

Why has one of Washington DC’s most famous landmarks become symbolic of the Trump presidency?The renovation and subsequent damage to the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC gives an insight into Donald Trump’s second term as president and the team that surrounds him. For months the president has claimed that vandalism was responsible for damage to the monument he wanted restored in time for the country’s 250th birthday celebrations. But at the end of last week, Jeanine Pirro, the federal prosecutor he selected for Washington DC, dropped charges against four people - including US Olympian David Hearn - who were accused of damaging the pool’s lining and blamed “flawed” construction for the damage. Trump accused Pirro of “folding like an umbrella”, but her decision to go against the president’s version of events has raised questions over where Trump is getting his information, and whether his top allies are now less willing to give him the news he wants to hear. Sarah and Anthony discuss the wider significance of the Reflecting Pool story and also what changes can be expected if Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal attorney, is appointed as head of the Justice Department.HOSTS:
• Sarah Smith, North America Editor
• Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGET IN TOUCH:
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