The Trump administration has ruled out reopening the bidding process for repairs to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, pressing ahead with the same contractor despite mounting political scrutiny over the troubled renovation.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum insisted the company responsible for the project had "done a fantastic job", even as questions continue over damage to the pool, no-bid contracts and the cost to taxpayers.

Vandalism Claim Drives White House Response

Burgum backed President Donald Trump's claim that the newly installed liner was deliberately damaged by vandals, saying multiple cuts would require parts of the century-old pool to be drained again for repairs.

He said the administration believed the damage could amount to a felony because of the repair costs, which he estimated could run into tens of thousands of dollars.

When asked whether photographic evidence existed to support the vandalism claims, Burgum did not give a direct answer.

Project Faces Mounting Scrutiny

The refurbishment was launched ahead of America's 250th Independence Day celebrations, with Trump ordering the pool to be repainted in what he described as "American flag blue".

But the project quickly ran into problems. An algae bloom developed after the pool was refilled, while reports emerged that sections of the new protective coating had begun peeling away.

Despite the setbacks, Burgum insisted the work itself met a high standard and said safety concerns linked to fireworks—not construction issues—were responsible for the pool's temporary closure.

Political Pressure Intensifies

Federal prosecutors have charged several people over alleged damage to the pool, including former Olympian David Hearn, who denies wrongdoing. His lawyers have accused the government of pursuing an exaggerated and politically motivated case.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers are investigating the awarding of multimillion-dollar no-bid contracts to companies with previous ties to Trump. They are demanding answers over project failures, procurement decisions and whether taxpayers are receiving value for money.

With repairs now set to continue under the original contractor, the dispute is evolving from a maintenance problem into another politically charged battle over accountability, public spending and presidential decision-making.

Trump's administration won't seek new bids to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

America Advertising its quality of piss poor workmanship to the world !!

18 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

America Advertising its quality of piss poor workmanship to the world !!

America does have some very capable, reputable contractors that do excellent work. However, Trump selected one that supposedly was unqualified to to do the kind of work in question.

10 hours ago, bannork said:

When asked whether photographic evidence existed to support the vandalism claims, Burgum did not give a direct answer.

10 hours ago, bannork said:

Despite the setbacks, Burgum insisted the work itself met a high standard and said safety concerns linked to fireworks—not construction issues—were responsible for the pool's temporary closure.

10 hours ago, bannork said:

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers are investigating the awarding of multimillion-dollar no-bid contracts to companies with previous ties to Trump. They are demanding answers over project failures, procurement decisions and whether taxpayers are receiving value for money

Talking rubbish over an absolute crock of <deleted>!

Edited July 6Jul 6 by JAG

4 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

America Advertising its quality of piss poor workmanship to the world !!

Not all, just the crooked contractors Our Dear Leader hires.

4 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

America does have some very capable, reputable contractors that do excellent work. However, Trump selected one that supposedly was unqualified to to do the kind of work in question.

I used to work in contracting for the US government. The WHOLE PURPOSE of getting bids was to prevent this very thing from happening. And now they want to hire the same shyster AGAIN?!? Talk about STUPID! Fool me once . . .

Edited July 6Jul 6 by HappyExpat57

10 hours ago, bannork said:

pressing ahead with the same contractor despite mounting political scrutiny over the troubled renovation.

he has to keep the same people or no more donations and no more kick backs

4 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

America does have some very capable, reputable contractors that do excellent work. However, Trump selected one that supposedly was unqualified to to do the kind of work in question.

You may have reputable contractors that do excellent work BUT that is NOT being shown to the world !, If you read the contract you will see it was the wrong product that was applied this was the government who picked the wrong product for the pool !! Blind leading the blind !!!!

11 hours ago, bannork said:

An algae bloom developed after the pool was refilled,

11 hours ago, bannork said:

parts of the century-old pool to be drained again for repairs.

Dear Leader fulfills promise to drain the swamp.

Draining! There's gonna be so much draining, you're gonna get tired of the draining! People are gonna say, Donald, please, it's too much draining! We can't take it any more!

53 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

You may have reputable contractors that do excellent work BUT that is NOT being shown to the world !, If you read the contract you will see it was the wrong product that was applied this was the government who picked the wrong product for the pool !! Blind leading the blind !!!!

A competent contractor would have known that the product was not suitable for the job and would have refused to do the job. As a building contractor for 40 years I have refused to accept jobs that called for materials that would have failed.

I recall an owner that insisted a redwood deck be painted with latex paint after I informed him an oil based primer must be used first. He decided to paint it himself.

What a disaster when the latex primer would not dry.

Edited July 6Jul 6 by Hawaiian

1 hour ago, Hawaiian said:

A competent contractor would have known that the product was not suitable for the job and would have refused to do the job. As a building contractor for 40 years I have refused to accept jobs that called for materials that would have failed.

I recall an owner that insisted a redwood deck be painted with latex paint after I informed him an oil based primer must be used first. He decided to paint it himself.

What a disaster when the latex primer would not dry.

You are correct and this happened on the reflecting pool i think 2 contractors refused the job this is all corruption and again they are going to used the same contractor for repairs and the same product more wast of money as it will happen again !! this is making American contractors look bad and poor workmanship in the eyes of the world !

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

....i think 2 contractors refused the job this is all corruption and again they are going to used the same contractor for repairs...

I read only from one, but confirmed...

Firm that worked on past Reflecting Pool renovation passed on Trump project after deeming it ‘unfeasible’

Several months before blue strips started floating to the surface of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a company involved in its last renovation more than 15 years ago was approached with an opportunity to do this remodel as well. But the company said no.

Specifically, it balked at two requirements – the Trump administration wanted it done by July 4, and the pool bottom had to be blue, according to two employees with the New Jersey-based Sika Corporation, which provided the concrete construction and sealing products for a 2010 renovation project to the Reflecting Pool.

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/25/politics/reflecting-pool-firm-renovation-unfeasible

17 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

You are correct and this happened on the reflecting pool i think 2 contractors refused the job this is all corruption and again they are going to used the same contractor for repairs and the same product more wast of money as it will happen again !! this is making American contractors look bad and poor workmanship in the eyes of the world !

Not only 'some' contractors, but the dishonest self-proclaimed "No better President than me," and his religious, fanatical sucking up, sidekicks. How long will the US citizens continue to tolerate this dishonesty? 'There are none so blind as those who will not see.'

Trump tends to go with bottom of the barrel, very low quality workers and administration cabinet appointments, that's just who the man is.

And it's very likely considering his moral depravity that he's getting a kick back under the table for this no bidding process. That's also just who he is.

America totally corrupt. These are the sorts of things that happen in third world countries with jobs for mates and no due process!

Just in. Pool contractor promises to repair the mess he made:

Perhaps Trump planned this, and really prefers a non-reflecting pool? To hide the fact that he doesn't actually have a reflection.

Typical Trump, doubling down, throwing good money after bad, never admitting he screwed up but, instead, wrongly accusing and bring false charges against an innocent bystander. When asked for proof, none produced. Just more 'big lie' strategy, in this case the big lie is 'vandalism'.

Meanwhile, on Facebook the other day, there was a long, very detailed description by a paint expert as to why the paint did not adhere properly, never would have adhered properly, and why it would begin to peel off almost immediately. But, who needs chemistry when you can drag a 67 year-old, 3-time Olympian through the ringer instead?

On 7/5/2026 at 11:06 PM, NoDisplayName said:

Dear Leader fulfills promise to drain the swamp.

Draining! There's gonna be so much draining, you're gonna get tired of the draining! People are gonna say, Donald, please, it's too much draining! We can't take it any more!

This President IS the swamp........