NEW YORK (AP) – The Trump administration has decided not to solicit new bids for the restoration of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, as stated by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Sunday. The decision comes amidst rising concerns surrounding the project and its associated taxpayer funding.
Both President Donald Trump and Burgum are adamant that the damage to the century-old Reflecting Pool on the National Mall was caused by vandals. Trump claimed a significant 350-foot gash had been inflicted on the pool's liner during recent renovations, while Burgum clarified that multiple cuts were responsible for that total length. He indicated that the pool would need to be at least partially drained within the week to facilitate repairs and emphasized that no new contractors would be brought in for the job. "We’ll use the same company, because they did a fantastic job," Burgum remarked on CNN's "State of the Union." He added that the cost to repair the damage could reach tens of thousands of dollars, which might escalate to felony levels given the nature of the vandalism.
This spring, Trump had committed to enhancing the Reflecting Pool in advance of the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations on July 4th. Following the draining of the water, he mandated that the bottom be painted a color he dubbed "American flag blue." However, subsequent to the restoration, the pool encountered a significant algae bloom lasting over a week, and signs of the new coating started to peel off the surface. Although the pool was closed during the Independence Day festivities, Burgum attributed this to safety protocols related to the fireworks.
The ongoing discourse surrounding the Reflecting Pool has intensified the broader debate regarding Trump's ambitious plans to renovate iconic landmarks in Washington, D.C., including the White House, as he nears the end of his term. Authorities have made several arrests connected to the damage incurred at the Reflecting Pool, including former Olympian David Hearn, who was indicted last week on a felony charge of property destruction.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro detailed that Hearn's actions involved deliberately tearing up newly installed sealant on the pool, resulting in damage exceeding $1,000. She described his conduct as "forceful and violent," stating that he aggressively pulled at the liner while being confronted by a staff member. Hearn's lawyers, Norm Eisen and Mary Dohrmann of the Democracy Defenders Fund, have branded the charges as "outrageous," arguing that it reflects a misuse of governmental authority against an ordinary citizen based on a fabricated narrative.
Burgum did not directly respond to inquiries about the existence of photographic evidence showing the vandalism that purportedly occurred at the pool. He was also questioned about whether Hearn deserved the maximum penalty of a 10-year prison sentence for his charge, to which Burgum replied, “Just because you were a former something doesn’t exclude you from the law today. The courts will decide.”
In the background, concerns continue to rise regarding the no-bid contracts that were awarded to companies with historical ties to Trump. Ohio-based Green Water Solutions, also known as Greenwater Services, received a substantial $1.7 million contract for a water-purification system installation at the Reflecting Pool, while Atlantic Industrial Coatings from Virginia was granted a hefty $14.7 million deal for repainting and waterproofing the pool’s concrete floor. A group of about ten Democratic senators and House members is investigating the pool project, stressing the need for transparency. They called for a comprehensive explanation regarding the failures associated with the project and requested accountability for those responsible for its issues.
