Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Undergoes Another Draining Amid Renovation Issues
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is undergoing another draining as part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to renovate the historic site. Initially set for completion by July 4 to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday, the project has faced numerous setbacks, including algae blooms and damage to the pool’s new coating.
The project, which Trump claimed would endure for a century, has been marred by issues just weeks after its initial completion. Algae has spread across the water surface, and the pool’s fresh coating has started peeling. While Trump attributes the peeling to acts of vandalism, detractors argue it is due to substandard workmanship.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, whose department supervises the National Park Service, clarified in a discussion with conservative podcaster Katie Miller that the current draining was premeditated. He pointed out that remnants from a grand Independence Day fireworks display might still be present in the water.
“Drain the water, clean up the fireworks stuff,” Burgum stated in the interview with Miller, who is married to Stephen Miller, the deputy White House chief of staff. “Repair the vandalism that was done. Fill it back up again.”
This renovation is one of several initiatives Trump has initiated in Washington, D.C. Among these, he demolished the White House’s East Wing to construct a $400 million ballroom and has plans for an imposing arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
Trump announced the Reflecting Pool’s refurbishment with the intention of completing it ahead of the 250th birthday festivities. Water was drained as per Trump’s directive, and the bottom was painted in “American flag blue.” In May, Trump took to social media to announce, “The goal is to have it done, at this higher level, prior to July 4th — We are ahead of schedule!”
However, problems emerged shortly thereafter. Trump blamed vandals, and court records later revealed that the National Park Service reported to the U.S. Park Police a June 9 incident involving a sharp tool used to cut the pool’s new liner.
In legal developments, former Olympic canoeist David Hearn has pleaded not guilty in D.C. Superior Court to charges of deliberately damaging the Reflecting Pool. Hearn claims he was merely inspecting the peeling sealant and released it upon a park worker’s request. His defense team and critics of the Trump administration argue that Hearn is being unfairly targeted to cover for poor renovation work.
Three additional individuals have been charged with misdemeanors in the same court for allegedly removing paint from the Reflecting Pool. Each entered a not guilty plea during their initial court hearings.
The Reflecting Pool was closed during the Independence Day celebrations, which featured what Trump described as the largest global fireworks display. The president acknowledged that the pool would need to be drained again to facilitate repairs.
For the new round of repairs, Burgum confirmed that the Trump administration will not seek new bids, opting instead to retain the services of the same company, praising their prior work: “We’ll use the same company because they did a fantastic job.”
Green Water Solutions from Ohio, also known as Greenwater Services, received a $1.7 million contract to establish a water-purification system in the Reflecting Pool, while Atlantic Industrial Coatings from Virginia secured a $14.7 million contract to repaint and waterproof the pool’s concrete base.
Democratic lawmakers are probing the project, seeking transparency regarding the expenditure of taxpayer money on the renovations.
