Workers drained the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool once again Friday, the latest setback in the Trump administration's effort to transform the 104-year-old landmark into what the president has envisioned as a gleaming symbol of American patriotism.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum confirmed the draining was planned and necessary. Speaking to conservative podcaster Katie Miller earlier this week, he outlined the scope of work: removing debris left by the Fourth of July fireworks display, repairing vandalism, and refilling the pool for another attempt at restoration.
The project has become a fixation for Trump, who entered his second term declaring the pool "filthy dirty" and claiming the Biden administration had abandoned maintenance of the National Mall landmark. His vision includes coating the pool bottom in what he calls "American flag blue" to reflect the nation's colors.
But the ambitious restoration has spiraled into a financial and logistical nightmare. The estimated cost has ballooned to over $16 million as of June, plagued by recurring algae blooms that turned the water murky green and a blue liner that began peeling almost immediately after installation.
When Trump first announced his beautification plans in spring, he promised completion before July 4th celebrations. Workers drained and repainted the pool bottom. In May, Trump posted confidently on social media that the project was "ahead of schedule." The prediction proved wildly optimistic. Within weeks, problems emerged. A National Park Service report documented a June 9 incident in which someone used a sharp knife or razor to cut the new liner.
The Trump administration has blamed vandals for the deterioration. Several people have been arrested, including former Olympic cyclist David Hearn, who pleaded not guilty to a felony property destruction charge. Court records show Hearn admitted reaching into the pool to examine the peeling sealant but said he released a chunk of material only after a park worker instructed him to do so. His legal team fired back at prosecutors, saying the administration was using the justice system to shift blame for its own failures.
Burgum announced the administration will bypass the competitive bidding process for the next phase of repairs, instead awarding the work to the same contractors who handled previous phases. Ohio-based Green Water Solutions received a $1.7 million contract for water purification, while Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings landed a $14.7 million deal for repainting and waterproofing.
The pool project sits within a larger Trump blueprint for reshaping Washington. The president has also demolished the White House East Wing to make room for a $400 million ballroom and is planning a towering arch spanning from the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetery.
Congressional Democrats have launched an investigation into the reflecting pool work, demanding transparency about taxpayer funding and contractor selection processes. Critics have questioned whether firms chosen have longstanding ties to Trump, raising concerns about political favoritism in the award decisions.
Author James Rodriguez: "The reflecting pool was supposed to be Trump's quick win for patriotic renewal, instead it's become a symbol of bloated spending and incompetent execution."
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