WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is having the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool coated in a swimming pool surface hued in “American flag blue,” covering up a decades-old granite surface that he said was “leaking like a sieve” and would take years to replace.
The president announced the renovation at an Oval Office event Thursday, saying the coating had already begun. He was inspired to tackle the project after a friend visited from Germany and lamented that the water was filthy and looked disgusting, Trump said.
“And I went over there with Secret Service in tow, and I said, isn’t that a shame? That’s terrible,” Trump said, showing reporters a photo of the site as it undergoes work.
The project is one more makeover refashioning the nation’s capital to Trump’s liking, following others such as the demolition of the White House's East Wing to make room for a new ballroom.
Lined with stately elm trees between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, the reflecting pool is one of the most iconic sites in the capital. It’s where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.
In Trump’s telling, the reflection pool project is a case study in business acumen. The president said he scrapped plans to have the granite replaced, which he said was estimated to cost $301 million and would take at least three years.
Instead, Trump said he called a few pool contractors he knows from past real estate projects — “I have a guy who’s unbelievable at doing swimming pools up the road,” Trump said.
The president went with a plan to clean the granite and lay down a new “industrial grade pool” surface for $1.5 million, he said. All told, it would take a few weeks. Trump noted it would be ready well before July 4, when the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence.
Trump brought up the project unprompted and spoke about it for several minutes at a White House event on efforts to reduce drug prices. He said he initially wanted a turquoise-colored surface “like in the Bahamas” but was sold when a contractor suggested “American flag blue.”
“You’re going to end up with a beautiful, beautiful reflecting pool,” Trump said, “the way it’s supposed to be, much better than it ever was.”
President Donald Trump holds a picture of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool during an event on health care affordability in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys went defense with both of their first-round picks in the NFL draft, inching up one spot to take Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11 and moving down three positions to get UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd choice Thursday night.
The Cowboys trying to bolster one of the NFL's worst defenses was expected, and they took no chances on getting a player they wanted in Downs. Dallas sent the 12th pick and two fifth-rounders to Miami.
Dallas drafted Lawrence after sending the 20th pick and a seventh-round choice to Philadelphia. Dallas added two fourth-round picks in the deal.
Downs was a two-time Associated Press All-American with the Buckeyes after starting his career at Alabama, and has a career record of 1-1 at the home of the Cowboys.
He helped Ohio State win the national championship in 2024, including a victory over Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinals at AT&T Stadium. The Buckeyes were the No. 2 seed in the CFP last year before getting knocked off by Miami in the Cotton Bowl.
About two hours before the start of the draft, two people with knowledge of the decision said receiver George Pickens was planning to sign the $27.3 million franchise tag with the Cowboys. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the signing wasn't official.
News of Pickens' decision sparked trade speculation because the 25-year-old has to be under contract to be dealt to another team, but Dallas made no such move before bolstering the defense.
The Cowboys entered the draft with needs everywhere for a defense that gave up the most points (511) with the fewest interceptions (six) in franchise history last season as Dallas missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Downs, considered one of the most polished players in the draft after 44 college games and the rare distinction of five CFP starts, should be an immediate upgrade for defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who was hired away from Philadelphia this offseason. Parker turned a pair of defensive backs — Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell — into All-Pros with the Eagles last season.
Downs will join a group that includes 2023 All-Pro cornerback Daron Bland, who has been plagued by foot injuries the past two years, and Shavon Revel Jr.
Revel was a third-round pick coming off a major knee injury last year but managed to get on the field for the final seven games. The Cowboys think highly of the young cornerback's coverage skills.
Dallas added two safeties in free agency in Jalen Thompson, who spent his first six seasons with Arizona, and P.J. Locke.
Malik Hooker, a starting safety the past three years in Dallas, has one year left on his contract. Downs has the loftiest draft position for an Ohio State safety since Hooker went 15th to Indianapolis 11 years ago.
With Pickens presumably in the fold after thriving in his first season alongside CeeDee Lamb, the Dallas offense is set to return all of its key players, including quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Javonte Williams.
There are some questions on the offensive line, but the Cowboys drafted a blocker in the first round three of the previous four seasons. All three — Tyler Smith (2022), Tyler Guyton (’24) and Tyler Booker (’25) — are projected starters.
Dallas was on the short list of suitors for Maxx Crosby before the star edge rusher’s proposed trade from Las Vegas to Baltimore was called off by the Ravens over medical concerns. The Cowboys pivoted to Rashan Gary, acquiring him in a trade just as free agency was getting started in March.
Even with that move, pass rush was still a consideration because pressuring the quarterback has been in flux since Dallas traded Parsons in the middle of a contentious contract stalemate.
The 6-foot-5, 253-pound Lawrence had seven sacks among a career-high 11 tackles for loss as a senior at UCF. He was one of four players in the Football Bowl Subdivision to have at least five sacks in each of the past three seasons.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs walks on stage before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs poses on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs walks on stage after being chosen by the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs puts on a hat after being chosen by the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
