Trump Administration Redrains $15 Million Reflecting Pool as Renovation Unravels Within Weeks
Updated
Updated · The New Republic · Jul 6
Trump Administration Redrains $15 Million Reflecting Pool as Renovation Unravels Within Weeks
1 articles · Updated · The New Republic · Jul 6
Summary
$15 million-plus in repairs has failed at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which is set to be drained again this week after algae returned and the new liner began sloughing off within days.
Doug Burgum still called the project a success on ABC and CNN, arguing the pool had once leaked 45,000 gallons a day and blaming the latest damage on vandalism rather than faulty work.
The administration's vandalism account has shifted, with Trump and Burgum describing a liner cut that grew from 250 feet to 300 and then 350 feet, while offering no public evidence.
The setback deepens the gap between Trump's original $1.8 million promise and a project now expected to cost well above $15 million, despite Burgum contrasting it with Obama's $34 million 2010-2012 overhaul.