Trump Floats Plans for World War II Memorial, Continuing Makeover of Washington, D.C.

The nation's capital city is in its renovation era. The latest project spearheaded by President Donald Trump will be a planned renovation of the World War II Memorial fountain. Read on for more information about the president's plans, as well as how the renovation fits into the rest of the ongoing makeover for Washington, D.C.

Trump Announces New Ideas for World War II Memorial Fountain

President Trump recently announced that the World War II Memorial fountain is next up for a major transformation as he continues his quest to give Washington, D.C. a dramatic makeover. This fountain is located on the National Mall about halfway between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

Renovations are currently almost finished on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Trump said on Wednesday during a Cabinet meeting that he wants to do something similar with the fountain that is in the middle of the World War II Memorial. According to the president, "we're looking at the World War II fountain, because that's also in pretty bad shape on the bottom."

Trump had previously criticized the appearance of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. As part of the recent renovation, the Trump administration had this pool drained, resurfaced, and painted what the president called "American flag blue." The president confirmed on Wednesday that the renovation of this reflecting pool will be done before July 4, just in time for the nation to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The president is now suggesting that a similar renovation is in store for the World War II Memorial fountain. However, he noted that they will "go with a lighter color" when repainting the bottom of the pool.

The large fountain pool in the middle of the World War II Memorial is flanked by bronze bas-relief panels detailing important facts of the war. Granite columns representing all of the U.S. states and territories are another key feature of this memorial. Other details include two "victory pavilions" and a wall of gold stars. The memorial is widely considered to be one of the most somber attractions on the National Mall, paying tribute to the sacrifices of thousands of American service members and their families.

Trump's Major Renovations Have Sparked Criticism

The widespread renovations across the nation's capital have been a persistent theme of Trump's second stint in the Oval Office. It is not surprising to learn that Trump has taken a keen interest in making changes to the aesthetic of the capital city, given his experience in real estate development.

However, not all of the feedback to the changes has been positive. Although Trump is spinning the renovation as much-needed improvements to the infrastructure of the capital, critics of the president say that he is out of line. Several historic preservationists have also voiced their concern about the president's ideas, as well as the absence of public input into the changes to a city that belongs to all Americans.

The renovations have also sparked challenges in court. For instance, the Cultural Landscape Foundation brought a lawsuit over the blue paint on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The nonprofit said that "changing the Reflecting Pool’s color, a key character-defining feature of the site, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, should be subject to reviews … under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and other laws.”

Other plans that have triggered controversy include Trump's directive to demolish the White House East Wing to construct a new ballroom. There is now a gaping hole where the East Wing used to sit on the grounds of the White House. The construction was briefly halted after U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled in April that the president did not have the authority to build the ballroom without consent from Congress. However, that order was then put on hold by an appeals court, allowing construction to continue.

The Trump administration also recently announced a $257 million renovation to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The two-year project will begin on July 4. While the president said that the closure is necessary due to the aging infrastructure, critics say that it was not necessary to completely shutter the center for two years to make the upgrades.

The latest idea floated by the Trump team is the construction of a new 250-foot arch on Memorial Circle near the Arlington National Cemetery. Coined the "Triumphal Arch," critics of this structure say that it will dominate the Washington, D.C. skyline.

Looking for stories that inform and engage? From breaking headlines to fresh perspectives, WaveNewsToday has more to explore. Ride the wave of what’s next.