WASHINGTON DC NEVER LOOKED BETTER OR WAS MORE SAFE
The Trump Administration has launched an unusually large restoration program, but only some projects are fully completed. Others remain under construction or proposed.
Here is the most complete list I can verify for President Trump’s second term, from January 20, 2025 through September 4, 2026.
Completed or substantially completed
1. Lafayette Square rehabilitation
The park’s landscaping, walkways, fountains and related infrastructure were rehabilitated. Its fountains began operating again in June 2026 after being inactive for nearly a decade.
2. Meridian Hill Park lower plaza
The lower plaza, reflecting pool and thirteen-basin cascading fountain reopened on May 14, 2026. Additional testing and minor improvements continued after reopening. National Park Service
3. Arts of War statues
The monumental equestrian sculptures Valor and Sacrifice, located at the eastern entrance to Arlington Memorial Bridge, received bronze conservation, repaired granite bases and new 23.75-karat gold leaf. This portion was completed near the end of July 2026.
4. Columbus Fountain and Columbus Plaza
The fountain, sculpture, plaza and surrounding grounds at Union Station underwent cleaning and rehabilitation between late 2025 and mid-2026.
5. World War II Memorial beautification
Cleaning, landscape rehabilitation and maintenance of its fountains and water systems were undertaken for the America 250 observances.
6. National Mall cleanup and landscape work
Crews cleaned monuments, repaired walkways, restored turf and improved public areas in preparation for the country’s 250th anniversary. This is a collection of smaller projects rather than one construction contract.
Reopened but still requiring work
7. Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
The pool was drained, repaired, resurfaced, refilled and reopened. Recurring algae and coating problems led to additional cleaning, repairs and temporary closures. It is therefore fair to call the refilling and structural work an accomplishment, but not yet a completely finished success.
8. Meridian Hill Park upper grounds
The lower plaza reopened, but landscaping and rehabilitation elsewhere in the park have continued.
Under construction or nearing completion
9. Arts of Peace statues
Music and Harvest and Aspiration and Literature are receiving the same conservation and regilding treatment as the Arts of War. Completion was scheduled for late September 2026.
10. White House ballroom
A major new state ballroom is under construction. It is intended to provide a permanent venue for large state dinners and official events, replacing the frequent use of temporary outdoor structures. It is not yet finished.
11. White House historic columns and porticoes
Conservation and cleaning work has been undertaken on the exterior columns and stonework, including work around the North Portico.
12. White House South Lawn helipad
The administration announced replacement or reconstruction of the existing landing area with a more durable granite installation. This should be described as an active construction project, not a completed one.
13. Lincoln Memorial undercroft museum
The large museum and visitor-space project beneath the Lincoln Memorial is moving toward completion. It began before Trump returned to office, so the administration can claim completion or stewardship if it opens during this term—but not sole credit for originating it.
Historic fountains being returned to service
The National Park Service identified nine long-inoperable fountains for rehabilitation:
14. Columbus Plaza Fountain
15. Freedom Plaza Fountain
16. John Marshall Park Fountain
17. John Paul Jones Memorial Fountain
18. Lafayette Square fountains
19. Meridian Hill Park fountains
20. Philip Sheridan Memorial Fountain
21. Rawlins Park Fountain
22. Simón Bolívar Memorial Fountain
Lafayette Square and Meridian Hill have documented reopenings. The others belong to the active restoration program, but public records do not consistently establish that every one is completely operational yet.
Operational fountains receiving upgrades
Nine additional sites were selected for maintenance, mechanical improvements or conservation:
23. Dupont Circle Fountain
24. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial water features
25. George Mason Memorial Fountain
26. Japanese American Memorial water feature
27. Korean War Veterans Memorial Pool of Remembrance
28. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial fountains
29. Taras Shevchenko Memorial fountain
30. United States Navy Memorial fountains
31. World War II Memorial fountains
The complete official fountain program is documented by the National Park Service.
Approved, proposed or preparatory—not yet construction successes
32. United States Triumphal Arch
The proposed 250-foot arch would stand at Memorial Circle between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Preliminary excavation has been announced, but the project still faces regulatory and legal questions. It should be called a proposed project, not a completed achievement.
33. National Garden of American Heroes
Congress provided $40 million toward the planned sculpture garden, but it is not yet a completed physical attraction.
34. East Potomac Golf Links redevelopment
Plans have been advanced for a substantial redevelopment, but it remains a proposal rather than a finished project.
35. Presidential Capital Stewardship Program
The Administration has proposed a very large, long-term federal investment for Washington restoration and beautification.
DC is looking great. President Trump is undertaking the most concentrated presidential campaign to restore and reshape Washington since the Kennedy–Johnson era. Whether he ultimately surpasses Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson will depend on how many of his major projects are completed.
SAFER TOO!
Washington, D.C., is experiencing its lowest overall per-capita crime level since 1962.
All his critics can do is complain.
Note: The Jefferson Memorial roof and portico restoration and the Arlington Memorial Bridge rehabilitation were substantially associated with Trump’s first term, not his current term.
