Democrats Seek Probe of Reflecting Pool Renovation Contracts
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Congressional Democrats have called for investigations into the $16 million refurbishment of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, citing concerns over contract awards and project outcomes.
Congressional Democrats on both the House and Senate asked for investigations on Wednesday into the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a $16 million project overseen by the Trump administration. Lawmakers requested answers about contract awards and the condition of the pool after work began.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the leading Democrat on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, wrote to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and acting National Park Service director Jessica Bowron, questioning no-bid contracts awarded to vendors with prior ties to the president. He said the contracts resulted in “a reflecting pool more covered with algae than before, with freshly painted chunks of paint peeling from the bottom to float on the pool’s surface.”
Two contracts were highlighted: a $1.7 million award to Ohio-based Green Water Solutions for a water-purification system, and a $14.7 million award to Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings for repainting and waterproofing the concrete floor. Rep. Robert Garcia noted that both firms have connections to Trump-related entities.
The administration has attributed paint peeling and a recent algae bloom to vandalism, though no evidence has been presented. President Trump said six people have been arrested and suggested the pool may need to be drained again for further repairs, but he did not specify a timeline.
U.S. Park Police released surveillance footage and asked the public to help identify an individual seen near the pool in connection with a “Destruction of Government Property” investigation.
A White House spokesperson said it was “a shame that Democrats do not think the capital of the greatest nation in the history of the world deserves to be safe and beautiful.” The spokesperson also praised the president’s effort to restore the pool, describing it as a project supported by Americans.
Green Water Solutions said its nanobubbler technology infuses ozone to control algae and that the system is operating as intended. The company’s representative noted that sediment on the pool floor is a normal part of the remediation process and will need to be removed once the water is drained.
Atlantic Industrial Coatings indicated that additional repairs will be performed after the pool is drained, though a schedule has not been set.
Sen. John Hickenlooper called for the president to reimburse taxpayers for the renovation costs, describing the project as a “national embarrassment” and urging that public funds be used for essential services instead.