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Washington DC looks like A little different these days. Since his return to office… President Donald Trump He pushed to virtually remodel the city in his image, decorating buildings with his name and signs with his face, repainting entire monuments, and even changing their landmarks. The White House itself.
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary as a nation this weekend, tourists may be surprised to find the nation’s capital undergoing massive changes and, in many places, under the scaffolding of ongoing construction.
On the eve of the Fourth of July, take a walking tour with WIRED through the stunning effects of Trump’s urban transformation.
Union Station
We begin our tour at Union Station, the Beaux Arts building that serves as the Amtrak hub and gateway to the city for visitors arriving by train.
The exit from the Great Train Hall brings the first evidence of Trump’s efforts to clean up once-neglected parts of the District of Columbia: the renovation of Columbus Circle.
While many of Trump’s changes to the city have received harsh criticism, the work on Union Station has been widely welcomed by local residents and congressional staffers who commute by subway and walk through the traffic circle toward the U.S. Capitol.
After an $11.8 million rehabilitation, the landmark now includes functional fountains (which had been dry for nearly two decades), and its marble sculptures have been cleaned of dirt. The homeless encampments on the surrounding lawn were removed by the National Guard, who have since been redeployed to the reflecting pool (more on that later).
New Department of Justice and Labor signs
To get to the next station, turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue while enjoying the serenity of the Capitol Dome that can be seen above the tree canopy around Senate Park.
But be careful, because almost immediately, a giant banner bearing Trump’s face will stare down the street at you from the side of the Department of Labor building.
