Fresh images have surfaced of the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, with mystery signs erected near the Washington DC monument indicating more work is needed. The signs, put up by the National Park Service, state that the pool will need to be drained again, marking the third time since the project began.
Project Delays and Rising Costs
The nearly $20 million project has faced numerous challenges since it started in April. Initially, President Donald Trump promised the job would take one week and cost about $1.5 million. However, 15 weeks on, work continues, and costs have ballooned to less than $20 million.
In the weeks leading up to July 4, the pool was coated in blue polyurea by a contractor awarded the job through a no-bid contract. The new paint quickly began peeling, and an algae bloom turned the water a sickly shade of green, just weeks before America's 250-year celebration of independence.
Vandalism Claims and Contractor Error
Part of Trump's defence for the unsuccessful project has been claims that the pool was vandalised. Four people were arrested, including David "Davey" Hearn, a three-time Olympic athlete, who was the only person charged with a felony. However, last week, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro moved to dismiss the criminal vandalism charges, stating the peeling paint was "a result of flawed installation by the contractor."
Trump pushed back, calling her decision a "terrible mistake" and saying she "folded like an umbrella." On Sunday, he took to Truth Social in a remarkable turnaround, admitting that the contractor had cut corners to finish the job. He claimed the damage was confined to "a very small area" and was "relatively inconsequential."
He also doubled down on his vandalism claim, stating that a National Park Service employee saw Hearn vandalise the pool "in broad daylight" by 'violently' ripping and tugging at the pool's coating. He added that "numerous other events took place, including using an acid-like material on the just installed grass adjoining the Pool... There was substantial other damage to the Reflecting Pool, also but, unfortunately, there is no video or proof, other than the damage itself."
