The Heart of America Divided Ahead of 250th Anniversary

1. The Heart of America Turned Into a Construction Site
This is the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the heart of global politics and a symbol of American democracy. The area around the Lincoln Memorial, which would normally be bustling with tourists from around the world, is now filled with massive barriers and the loud noise of construction. This is not merely a repair of aging facilities. From the plaza in front of the memorial to the Reflecting Pool that stretches toward the Washington Monument, the center of the capital is undergoing a major transformation. Behind this massive construction site lies a historic milestone: the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, which falls on July 4. The U.S. administration has launched a Capital Beautification and Modernization Project to change the face of the capital. The core project, which has drawn the most anticipation, is the opening of an underground museum, transforming the basement space that has supported the Lincoln statue for the past 100 years into a state-of-the-art exhibition space spanning approximately 15,000 square feet.

2. The Mysterious Numbers '86-47' Etched into the Lawn
However, the true battlefield of public opinion is the plaza above ground. The site is stained with bizarre political mysteries and disputes over the truth.

[Donald Trump / President of the United States: They carved very large letters into the lawn. You probably know, right? And they wrote '86-47'.]

When the mysterious numbers '86-47,' which imply the ousting of the 47th President Trump, were recently etched into the lawn, the White House quickly dug up the grass, claiming it was a plot by the opposition. Yellow scars still remain at the site. The floor of the Reflecting Pool, which was repainted with blue waterproof paint at a cost of over 20 million dollars, has recently suffered numerous knife marks and scratches.

[Donald Trump / President of the United States: They are truly terrible. They are criminals who destroy public property. I heard they caught six people, but there might be more. They made scratches 350 feet long along the side of the Reflecting Pool.]

Experts point out that this is not sabotage, but rather shoddy construction caused by an overly hasty pace. In particular, they point out that the dark blue paint on the floor may have raised the water temperature, potentially causing the serious algae bloom that occurred shortly after the reopening.

3. The Newly Painted 'Reflecting Pool': What is the Local Reaction?
The Trump administration invested over 14 million dollars in budget to paint the murky pool floor a deep blue, dubbed 'American Flag Blue.' There are also plans to build a massive triumphal arch at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery across the Potomac River. While supporters cheer it as bold leadership,

[Gary Worf / Pennsylvania: It was in need of care, and it finally got a makeover.]

Opponents and cultural heritage preservation groups are furious. This is because it is a historic space imbued with the conscience of America, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shouted "I have a dream" in 1963. Critics point out that President Trump has made it look frivolous, like a resort or theme park reflecting his own personal taste.

[Rio / Washington: It's a complete mess. It couldn't be any worse. It's a waste of money and a waste of time. Just like the line from the movie Forrest Gump: 'Stupid is as stupid does.']

Whether the newly painted Reflecting Pool will become a mirror reflecting American pride or remain a stain of unilateral dominance, the eyes of citizens who will stand before the completed plaza are turned toward Washington.

Reported by Lee Hanseok | Produced by Shin Heesook | Video by Oh Jeongsik | Video Editing by Na Honghee | Graphics by Yook Dohyun | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.