Trump administration compares reflecting pool algae battle to Iran war

[erronis]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/18/reflecting-pool-algae-trump-administration-iran-war

Interior department insists water at Washington landmark is 'crystal clear' as witnesses report murky green pool

US federal government workers continue to take on the green hue that has swept across Washington's reflecting pool, an increasingly fiendish battle the Trump administration compared to its war with Iran.

After Donald Trump ordered a $14.2m refurbishment to turn the monument "American Flag blue" in time for the country's 250th birthday celebrations, the administration encountered a formidable foe: algae.

. . .

Hours earlier, the US Department of the Interior - which oversees the National Park Service - had claimed the water was "crystal clear", and blamed the "Fake News Media" for reports to the contrary.

. . .

"The Reflecting Pool water is crystal clear, and our National Park Service team is now vacuuming up the dead algae resting on the bottom of some parts of the Reflecting Pool - just like the destroyed Iranian Navy resting on the bottom of the Persian Gulf," the department's press office said.

. . .

[PittBlue]

1. OMG

I just want this nightmare we are living to stop.

[Wounded Bear]

2. Well, they are both colossal fuckups...

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Need etching and epoxy paste, Donnie.

Not boat paint.

[TexLaProgressive]

4. Now it's Mexican flag green, or is that Iran flag green

Last edited Fri Jun 19, 2026, 07:31 PM - Edit history (1)

[RB77]

5. Unfortunately - - -

Somalian flag is blue and white 😒