President Donald Trump and the Department of the Interior are under growing pressure to release photo and video evidence supporting claims of sabotage at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington D.C. The $14.7 million renovation has been plagued by algae blooms, peeling paint, and dead ducks just days before the U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations.
Trump's Allegations and Lack of Evidence
On Wednesday, Trump posted an image on Truth Social purportedly showing the pool's hard rubber surface before it was refilled, stating, "Before the Vandals cut and pulled it apart!" He previously alleged a "350-foot gash" was deliberately carved into the pool's lining, calling it "purposefully and criminally done." However, as of Wednesday afternoon, no photographic or video evidence had been released by the Interior Department as promised.
The New York Times reported obtaining government documents that showed no indication the peeling paint and algae blooms were caused intentionally, casting doubt on Trump's claims.
Senator Demands Transparency
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and National Park Service acting director Jessica Bowron requesting documents related to the project, which he described as "marked by blatant corruption, a shocking lack of transparency, disregard for legal requirements, and apparent incompetence." He stated, "The American people deserve to know how this occurred and what other issues plague the work NPS is currently undertaking in our nation's capital."
Renovation Problems Mount
Trump had pledged to transform the 2,028-foot reflecting pool before the semiquincentennial festivities, draining it and coating the bottom in a color he dubbed "American flag blue." He declared the project complete on June 6, but a vivid green algae bloom soon clouded the water, obscuring the lining, and pieces of coating peeled away. A dead duckling was found floating in the water on Sunday, and two more birds were recovered from a nearby pond, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.
Tara Zuardo, a senior campaigner at the Center, said, "Wasting taxpayer money turning the reflecting pool into a giant duck death trap just in time for America's 250th birthday party is as Trump as it gets. Cruel, stupid and selfish." The group has called for an investigation under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Repairs and Security Measures
Workers have been pouring hydrogen peroxide into the pool to combat algae, a chemical that can also act as a paint remover. The Interior Department said it is using "high-tech nanobubble ozone technology" to cut off algae's food supply. Experts noted the dark lining likely exacerbates the problem by absorbing more sunlight and raising water temperature.
Atlantic Industrial Coatings, the Virginia-based company awarded a no-bid contract by Trump, insisted the affected areas are "a very small part of the massive seven-acre project" and expects to carry out repairs under warranty. DC Water has issued a permit for the pool to be drained, with Trump confirming water removal "either immediately before or after the Fourth of July."
National Guard members and park police have been patrolling the deck since the weekend, and fencing was erected around the site on Tuesday evening. Interior spokesperson Katie Martin told the Associated Press that the fencing "was always set to be installed ahead of the Fourth of July" but was brought forward due to "an increase in vandalism by leftist activists," a claim for which she offered no evidence.
Arrests and Criticism
Trump has asserted six people have been arrested for allegedly damaging the pool. One confirmed arrest is former Olympic canoe racer David Hearn, 67, who claimed he was detained for five hours after reaching into the pool to examine the peeling coating. Trump has threatened severe consequences, writing, "Please remember that there is a 10-year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things."
Paul Strauss, the senior U.S. shadow senator for the District of Columbia, criticized the project: "This was a botched job from the beginning. This is what happens when instead of going through the proper government contracting process you get your buddies from down the street at Mar-a-Lago to do a job quickly."
