The reflecting pool saga is a metaphor for the Trump presidency itself

July 20, 2026 — 7:30pm

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Washington: Recently, Pete Hegseth paid a visit to my local park. The US defence secretary was there to praise the National Guard for helping make Washington safe. He had to speak loudly into the microphone to overcome noise from nearby protesters.

“It’s the sound of ingrates, of ingratitude,” Hegseth said. “People who are so blinded by ideology, they can’t see law and order and common sense in front of them.”

They gathered at Meridian Hill Park, just two blocks from my apartment, because it has become something of a symbol of President Donald Trump’s drive to beautify the nation’s capital.

The park features the longest cascading water fountain in North America, with 13 basins running down the hill. Each one is wider than the step before, making it look longer from the bottom.

For people........

© The Age