10
Loading video...
By Daniel Orton
News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Trump administration compared a cleanup of algae in Washington, D.C.’s Reflecting Pool to the destruction of Iran’s navy, an unusual analogy pairing a routine maintenance project with a serious and deadly military conflict.
The comparison came in a post Wednesday by the Interior Department on X, which promoted new technology used to treat the water and described the pool as “crystal clear.”
“Advanced nanobubbler technology very effectively killed the algae that has plagued every Lincoln Reflecting Pool reopening—most infamously Obama’s reopening—since 1922,” the post said.
Read More on News
But recent images suggest a more mixed picture.
...
A current aerial view of the Reflecting Pool, a central feature of the National Mall stretching between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, shows the water still appearing green, suggesting the cleanup effort may be ongoing or uneven despite the administration’s characterization.
Fighting Algae vs. Fighting Iran
It was the language used to describe that final stage of the cleanup that stood out.
According to the post, workers are vacuuming up 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 comparison marked a notable departure from the typically technical tone of updates about maintenance work on federal landmarks, introducing a pointed geopolitical reference into what is usually a routine operational update.
Republican congressmen reacted positively to the statement online, with Wisconsin Representative Derrick Van Orden saying it "warms" his heart, and Utah Representative Burgess Owens quoting the post with a series of celebratory emojis.
The statement came the same day President Donald Trump signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran aimed at ending the conflict between the two countries, an agreement that includes a ceasefire framework and sets the stage for further negotiations toward a broader peace deal.
At least 13 U.S. service members have been killed and hundreds more wounded, according to Pentagon-linked figures, while across the region the death toll runs into the thousands, with the majority of casualties reported in Iran and neighboring countries hit by the fighting.
Iran’s naval forces, meanwhile, have suffered significant damage, with U.S. officials claiming dozens of vessels destroyed and independent reporting confirming multiple ships sunk or disabled. But analysts say the navy has not been wiped out entirely, with smaller craft, submarines and coastal defenses still intact.
What Is Nanoblubber Technology?
The Reflecting Pool has long struggled with recurring algae blooms, which can cloud the water and detract from one of Washington’s most recognizable sites. Federal officials have for years tested a range of methods to address the issue, including upgrades to filtration and circulation systems.
The “nanobubbler” system referenced in the Interior Department’s post works by injecting microscopic air bubbles into the water, increasing oxygen levels and disrupting the conditions that allow algae to thrive.
The Reflecting Pool, which stretches between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, attracts millions of visitors each year. For now, officials say its water is among the clearest it has been in recent memory—even as the administration’s phrasing ensures the cleanup effort is receiving attention for more than just the results.
Update, 06/18/2026, 10:57 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines