Trump Administration to Use Same Contractor for Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Repairs Despite Project Troubles

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that the Trump administration will use the same contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool despite its peeling liner and a $14.7 million no-bid contract. While officials blame a 350-foot gash on vandals, leading to the indictment of former Olympian David Hearn, critics and congressional Democrats are investigating the project's rising costs, algae blooms, and the use of no-bid contracts awarded to Trump-linked vendors.

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool repairs

• ▪The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will be at least partially drained in the week following July 5, 2026, to complete the repairs
• ▪Atlantic Industrial Coatings stated on June 21, 2026, that it would make the repairs under the project's warranty
• ▪The Trump administration will not seek new bids to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and will use the same contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, to perform the repairs

Vandalism allegations

• ▪President Donald Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum asserted that vandals caused the damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, alleging a 350-foot gash or multiple cuts adding up to that length
• ▪An official with the National Park Service stated in a court document that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool liner was cut using a sharp knife or razor

Arrests of suspects

• ▪David Hearn denied the vandalism charges, stating he only touched a piece of already detached, flapping coating to satisfy his curiosity during a bicycle ride
• ▪Former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn was indicted on a felony charge of property destruction for allegedly ripping up sealant on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, causing over $1,000 in damage
• ▪Authorities have arrested more than a half dozen people in relation to the damage at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

No-bid contracts to Trump vendors

• ▪Ohio-based Green Water Solutions was awarded a $1.7 million contract to install a water-purification system to eliminate algae in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
• ▪Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings was awarded a no-bid contract that increased from $13.1 million to $14.7 million to repaint and waterproof the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool floor

Congressional oversight investigation

• ▪Congressional investigators are seeking explanations regarding the project's failures, the use of no-bid contracts, and the selection of vendors with prior ties to Donald Trump
• ▪Approximately 10 Democratic members of Congress, including six senators who signed an inquiry letter in June 2026, are investigating the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool project