Aug. 6, 2026, 6:03 a.m. ET
Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has launched an ambitious effort to reshape Washington DC, with major construction projects and changes at some of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
Some of those plans are moving forward, including ongoing work on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and a new White House ballroom.
Others, such as a towering arch commemorating America’s 250th birthday, remain in the early stages or have drawn criticism and legal challenges.
Here’s a look at where some of Trump’s most prominent DC projects and proposals stand.
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been at the center of months of controversy after a renovation meant to prepare it for the nation’s 250th birthday ran into repeated problems.
Officials initially announced the work was complete, but the pool had to be drained again after flaws in the newly installed liner surfaced, forcing crews to restart repairs.
The project has faced setbacks ranging from algae blooms and peeling liner material to vandalism allegations that led to criminal charges against several people. Those cases were later dropped after the Justice Department said newly uncovered records showed the damage stemmed from flawed installation work by the contractor, not vandalism.
Repairs to the iconic National Mall landmark are still ongoing.
White House ballroom
Trump’s ballroom project is continuing months after crews demolished the East Wing to make way for the 90,000-square-foot event space.
The project, which the administration says will create a larger venue for state dinners and other official events, has faced criticism over its cost, funding and the decision to remove part of the historic White House complex.
The White House has said the ballroom is privately funded, but Democratic lawmakers and preservation advocates have raised questions about the final price tag, which has reportedly increased from earlier estimates of $400 million to projections of $600 million, with some costs potentially falling on taxpayers.
The administration has said the project is expected to be completed before Trump leaves office in 2029.
Triumphal Arch
The president’s 250-foot “Triumphal Arch” has advanced through several federal reviews as officials weigh the future of the monument planned near Arlington National Cemetery and Memorial Bridge.
The National Capital Planning Commission approved preliminary site and building plans in July, moving the project closer to construction, though the decision awaits a final approval as questions remain over issues including the structure’s height and legal requirements.
The National Park Service has warned that the arch could affect views and the historic character of dozens of landmarks, including the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and other sites connected to the capital’s landscape.
The project, which Trump has said would commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary, has also faced opposition from preservation groups and others who argue the massive structure would alter one of Washington’s most recognizable views.
Gold horse statues
The Trump administration has completed the restoration of two historic statues in DC that have now been covered in gold.
The Arts of War and Arts of Peace sculptures near the Arlington Memorial Bridge were regilded with 23.75-karat gold lead, transforming the bronze monuments into a bright gold display visible from across the National Mall.
The restoration project was led by the National Park Service and was intended to preserve the aging statues while highlighting them during the semiquincentennial celebration.
The decision to gold-plate the sculptures has drawn attention and debate, with supporters praising the updated appearance while others questioned altering the look of historic works of public art.
Kennedy Center
Trump’s effort to reshape the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has sparked a months-long battle over the future and identity of the nation’s premier performing arts institution.
After returning to office, Trump took control of the center’s board of trustees, replaced members appointed by previous administrations and was named chairman. The board then voted to add his name to the building, renaming it the “Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
The move was followed by plans for a major renovation and a proposed two-year closure of the venue, which Trump said was needed to modernize a building he called outdated.
The changes faced legal challenges, and a federal judge later ruled the board did not have the authority to rename the Kennedy Center, which was officially named through an act of Congress. The ruling ordered Trump’s name removed from the building and official materials, and workers removed the signage earlier this summer, returning the venue to its original name while the broader legal fight over Trump’s changes to the institution continues.
White House Rose Garden
The president’s 2025 renovation of the White House Rose Garden transformed one of the building’s most recognizable outdoor spaces, replacing its grass lawn with a stone patio designed for presidential events and gatherings.
The renovation changed the look of the garden first redesigned during the Kennedy administration, and it became one of the most iconic settings for presidential speeches and ceremonies.
The updated space includes stone paving, new drainage features and additional seating areas, but the changes drew criticism from preservationists and others who argued the redesign altered a historic landscape.
Dulles International Airport
Just outside DC in Sterling, Virginia, Trump unveiled a $22.5 billion overhaul of Dulles airport.
The renovation plan calls for more than 5 million square feet of new or renovated space, including redesigned terminals and concourses, expanded passenger connections, a new airport rail system to replace the aging mobile lounges and a 32,000-space parking garage.
Construction is expected to begin in phases, with early work potentially starting in spring 2027, and the project is expected to be funded through a partnership involving the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, airlines and other airport revenue rather than direct federal funding.
