Trump Administration Defends $15 Million Reflecting Pool Renovation

The Trump administration is defending a multimillion-dollar renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool that has seen costs balloon from an initial $2 million estimate to over $15 million. Donald Trump ordered the pool bottom be painted American flag blue for the nation's 250th anniversary, but the project resulted in peeling coatings and significant algae blooms.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the president offered conflicting accounts of the algae's origin. While Trump attributed the blooms to "criminally made algae," Burgum stated the issue was a temporary result of particles in the pipes during the filling process. The administration claims a nanobubbler system and National Park Service vacuuming have since cleared the water. Despite these claims, reports indicate the pool may need to be drained again due to returning algae and a sloughing industrial liner.

Burgum attributed the liner damage—described as multiple gashes totaling 350 feet—to deliberate vandalism involving boxcutters. The U.S. Park Police arrested seven individuals, including former Olympian David Hearn, who was indicted on felony property destruction charges.

On July 6, Burgum announced the administration will not seek new bids for repairs, opting instead to retain the existing contractors. The project is currently under scrutiny by approximately 10 Democratic lawmakers due to no-bid contracts awarded to Atlantic Industrial Coatings and Green Water Solutions, both of which have prior ties to the president.