WASHINGTON — Americans are preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Despite this, President Donald Trump faced criticism over his renovation projects, and this prompted lawsuits involving nonprofit organizations.
The $14.8 million “Great Reflecting Pool” is between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The Cultural Landscape Foundation sued the U.S. Department of the Interior.
“That’s clean, beautiful water,” Trump said on Thursday about the water in the “American flag blue” pool.
The 250-foot “Independence Arch” would be at the Memorial Circle roundabout, near the Lincoln Memorial. Public Citizen sued the National Park Service to stop it.
The National Capital Planning Commission held a public meeting on Thursday, and opponents judged the arch as a “waste of taxpayer money” and a“vanity project.”
The $400 million "White House State Ballroom" required the demolition of the East Wing. The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued the National Park Service.
U.S. Appeals Court Judge Patricia Millett is considering U.S. District Judge Richard Leon’s order to stop the above-ground construction of the ballroom.
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