Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool drained again as Trump revamp hits snags

Workers in Washington have once again drained the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as part of President Donald Trump's troubled renovation project. Trump initially aimed to have the pool ready by July 4 to mark the nation's 250th birthday, but within weeks of completion last month, the water became covered in algae and pieces of the new coating began peeling off the bottom. The president has blamed vandalism, but critics allege the issues stem from shoddy repair work.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, whose department oversees the National Park Service, told a conservative podcast that the new draining was planned. He noted the water might still contain debris from the extensive Independence Day fireworks display. "Drain the water, clean up the fireworks stuff, repair the vandalism, fill it back up again," Burgum said.

The pool work is just one of several Trump projects across the capital. Most notably, he demolished the White House East Wing to build a $400 million ballroom and has plans for a towering arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. This spring, Trump announced he wanted to beautify the pool, ordering the bottom painted "American flag blue." In May, he posted on social media that the work was ahead of schedule.

But problems emerged quickly after the initial repairs. Trump blamed vandals, and court documents show the National Park Service reported a June 9 incident to the US Park Police where a sharp knife or razor cut the pool's new liner. On Thursday, former Olympic canoe racer David Hearn pleaded not guilty to deliberately damaging the pool. Hearn says he only examined the peeled sealant and released a piece when a park worker told him to. His lawyers and critics of the Trump administration argue the case is an abuse of prosecutorial power and that Hearn is being scapegoated for poor work.

At least three other people have been charged with misdemeanors for allegedly removing pieces of paint from the pool; all pleaded not guilty on Wednesday. The pool was closed for Independence Day celebrations, which featured what Trump called the world's largest fireworks display. The president had said the pool would need to be drained again. Burgum also said the administration will not seek new bids for repairs but will use the same company. Ohio-based Green Water Solutions received a $1.7 million contract to install a water purification system, while Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings was awarded $14.7 million to repaint and waterproof the concrete floor. Democratic senators and House members are investigating the project, including how much taxpayer money has been spent.