A Washington-area nonprofit has filed a lawsuit to block efforts to resurface the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, challenging changes made under President Donald Trump’s administration. The Cultural Landscape Foundation initiated the legal action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asserting that the project did not comply with required federal review processes.

The lawsuit centers on the administration’s decision to apply a blue color to the basin of the Reflecting Pool, a move the foundation contends was undertaken without obtaining necessary approvals intended to safeguard the National Mall’s cultural and historical integrity. The group is requesting a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction to pause the Interior Department’s work while the dispute is resolved.

According to the foundation, the resurfacing project violated procedural safeguards designed to protect the heritage and appearance of one of Washington’s most iconic landmarks. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a central feature of the National Mall, holds significant symbolic value and is subject to regulations intended to ensure that any alterations maintain its historical character.

The Interior Department has defended the project as part of routine maintenance and improvements to preserve the pool’s structural integrity. Officials maintain that the enhancements are consistent with efforts to keep public spaces safe and accessible and that they have followed appropriate channels in carrying out the work.

As the case proceeds, the court will determine whether the resurfacing project met all legal requirements, including compliance with federal preservation laws. Legal experts note that such disputes often turn on interpretations of regulatory procedures and the balance between ongoing maintenance needs and historic preservation standards.

The outcome may have implications for how federal agencies approach renovations and conservation efforts on culturally sensitive federal properties in the future.