All it takes is a new president.
That has proven to be true on so many matters, from the border to the military to crime to the economy. In virtually every aspect of daily life, things are markedly better under President Trump than they were under President Biden.
Nowhere is that more evident than at Union Station in Washington, D.C., specifically, Columbus Circle. The historic plaza is the gateway to the city's largest commuter hub station and is dominated by a large fountain — but in recent years, it’s been repeatedly vandalized and allowed to sink into decay.
No more.
On December 10, 2025, the National Mall and Memorial Parks fenced off the area for a renovation, and on Thursday, we got our first look at it. The pictures tell the story:
<--- Columbus Circle under Biden
— Corey Inganamort 🪚🌴🪚 (@TheBirdWords) May 28, 2026
----> Columbus Circle under Trump
*all we needed was a new president* https://t.co/MHP4l9tdy9 pic.twitter.com/15uSoO0Mac
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The site has been the site of numerous vandalism incidents over the years as pro-Hamas protesters get their jollies by spray painting the fountain with graffiti and desecrating flags. Speaking of the fountain, it hasn’t been running since 2007 due to neglect, graffiti, tents, trash, and protests.
All we needed was a new administration:
Happening now: Columbus Circle at Union Station is completely restored as part of Trump’s effort to make “DC Safe and Beautiful.”
— Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) May 28, 2026
Secretary Burgum and Secretary Duffy are here to cut the ribbon for the official reopening. pic.twitter.com/nJX42Syw7d
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was on hand — note the water flowing in the background — and he promised that more improvements were coming:
🚨WOW: MAJOR INVESTMENT INTO MAKING DC BEAUTIFUL AND SAFE💰
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) May 28, 2026
UNION STATION will receive a $465 MILLION grant from @USDOT to beautify infrastructure and increase safety @Interior
Travelers deserve nothing but the best and we’re delivering at the SPEED OF TRUMP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/XrVwoZZaIa
Duffy:
In our effort to follow the president's call to make DC beautiful and great again, we are announcing that we were given a grant from DOT to Union Station for $465 million.
This is going fast track critical, structural repairs to this building, things like a roof. We can't have leaks in our Union Station's roof, so we're going to fix the roof, enhance the passenger concourses, the Amtrak lounge, and the ticketing experience.
We're going to maximize the station's revenue potential with retail, with parking, with office spaces, with digital signage, and a lot more. We're gonna improve security, and we're going to invest in family friendly infrastructure.
As our sister site Townhall reported, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum was also there, and he said that the days of neglect are over:
“Today is a day of gratitude and a day of celebration,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the fountain, as ambassadors for Italy and Spain were also in attendance.
“We have changed the front door of America,” the secretary said, adding that it was a “symbol of neglect” before the restoration was done.
Columbus Circle is a historic front door to Washington, D.C. and thanks to @POTUS, today it is once again ready to welcome the public! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/nXetZR572W
— Secretary Doug Burgum (@SecretaryBurgum) May 28, 2026
Meanwhile, work continues on the beautification effort for the 2,030‑foot‑long Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, which sits directly in front of the Lincoln Memorial on its East side.
Making our capital great again. All we needed was new leadership.
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