As visitors from around the world descended on Washington, D.C., over the last few weeks to enjoy summer in the nation's capital, they were treated with something the Federal city had not offered in a long while: clean parks with tidy landscaping and working fountains. The fountains, especially, were a welcome sight for many as the temperatures last week soared past 100º F.
The DMV didn't host any matches, but plenty of World Cup revelers and Americans wanting to take part in the country's 250th birthday festivities were able to enjoy the efforts of President Trump to beautify the town and offer unique opportunities to enjoy its culture and history. It seems like everyone had a good time, despite a few weather hiccups and the continued griping by Democrats about the president's beautification process.
Now that the post-America 250 crowds are thinning and families make their way back home, the sounds of the leftist rage machine are growing loud once again. This time, they're big mad about repairs being done to the pillars of the White House North Portico.
SEE ALSO: Watch: Doug Burgum's Savage Schooling of Media Over Reflecting Pool
Trump Tours Monument He's Repaired and Reclaimed for America
A PBS reporter by the name of Liz Landers posted a video of the scaffolding surrounding the pillars, commenting, "There’s a lot of scaffolding that’s gone up in front of the White House recently. A few moments ago, workers dropped a semi-transparent covering over the side closest to the West Wing."
The subtext here being, of course, that President Trump apparently had the nerve to start yet another improvement project without the express written consent of the left.
Luckily, Katie Miller, wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, had just interviewed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on her podcast, and Burgum – possibly sensing that it could become an issue to those who stand athwart of pretty pillars – had preemptively explained the presence of the scaffolding.
Doug Burgum on the White House Portico:
— Katie Miller (@KatieMiller) July 9, 2026
“At the White House, you can see the scaffolding on the North Portico right now. President Trump comes out to greet a world leader, sees door dings in the pillars, and says, ‘Look at all this stuff that needs to be repaired.’
“It’s all… https://t.co/dHv1PhoQ4a pic.twitter.com/btLLxMTxmL
Doug Burgum on the White House Portico:
“At the White House, you can see the scaffolding on the North Portico right now. President Trump comes out to greet a world leader, sees door dings in the pillars, and says, ‘Look at all this stuff that needs to be repaired.’
“It’s all historic renovation work. We’re restoring the plaster, and not just at the door level — all the way up to the crowns of those towers.”
President Trump, understandably, wants a pristine White House to greet world leaders when they come to call, thus the scaffolding. Although ...
Could happen. pic.twitter.com/rowPDlV8fn
— Teri Christoph (@TeriChristoph) July 9, 2026
The big tell here is Landers' follow up question after being schooled by Miller and Burgum – "who is doing this work?"
I asked White House if there would be changes to the columns and who is doing this work. A White House official says, "The North Portico columns are currently undergoing standard restoration work. This is for stone repair in the columns." WH also pointed to Burgum comments.
And there it is. In asking that, Landers clearly wants the North Portico to become the new reflecting pool nontroversy. And, boy, is the whole thing tiresome.
The renovation of the East Wing. The new White House ballroom. The Rose Garden patio. The reflecting pool. The Kennedy Center facade. Removal of homeless camps. The triumphal arch.
The left has protested each one of these things, which leaves one thing very clear to the rest of us: They want things to be ugly on the outside because it matches how they feel on the inside. Unfortunately for them, Trump doesn't care a bit about their feelings.
Editor's Note: Do you enjoy RedState's conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member