Reflecting Pool Troubles Mirror Trump's Second Term
Jonah Goldberg, in a commentary for the Toronto Sun, draws a sharp parallel between the ongoing troubles at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the broader challenges of President Donald Trump's second term. The pool, which Trump touted as a showcase of his building prowess, has become a symbol of mismanagement, cost overruns, and blame-shifting.
Cost Overruns and Cronyism
Trump awarded a no-bid contract for the pool's repair and painting, initially estimating the cost at $1.8 million. However, costs have ballooned nearly tenfold. To address persistent algae blooms, Trump gave another no-bid job to a Mar-a-Lago associate, campaign donor, and convicted felon, whom Goldberg describes as a villain from a Dick Tracy comic strip. This contradicts Trump's promise to "drain the swamp" of Washington corruption, using what Goldberg calls "figurative swampy means to deliver literal swampy ends."
Blame Game and Unfounded Claims
When the project faltered, Trump blamed anti-American "vandals" for a "300-foot long gash" in the paint, despite no evidence. Goldberg notes the irony: Trump had boasted the paint was "so strong, so powerful" that it couldn't be cut with a knife. The claim of vandalism remains unsubstantiated, and how vandals could evade park police, security cameras, and National Guard troops is unexplained.
Cabinet Meeting Sycophancy
During a May 27 Cabinet meeting, Trump boasted about the Reflecting Pool and then handed the floor to Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. Hegseth praised Trump's efforts, linking them to the administration's Iran policy, claiming Trump was the only president to stand up to Iran's nuclear ambitions. Goldberg counters that every president since Bill Clinton has opposed a nuclear Iran, and Trump's unilateral military action may not have achieved its goals.
Law of Unintended Consequences
Goldberg concludes that Trump's presidency is defined by a belief that laws and norms are obstacles to his will. The Reflecting Pool fiasco, like the Iran adventure, shows that the "enemy gets a vote" and unintended consequences prevail. He warns that ignoring rules allows the "jungle" to grow back, much like the algae in the pool.
