Trump Reveals Who Is Fixing Reflecting Pool
The Trump administration is moving swiftly to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after officials say vandals damaged the recently completed restoration project, prompting a new round of repairs at one of America’s most recognizable national landmarks.
Speaking Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the administration plans to hire the same contractor that completed the original restoration, praising the company’s work and expressing confidence the repairs will be finished quickly.
“We’ll use the same company because they did a fantastic job,” Burgum said.
Trump Administration Plans Fast Repairs
While Burgum did not identify the contractor during the interview, the Interior Department previously awarded a $1.7 million contract to Ohio-based Green Water Solutions to modernize the historic Reflecting Pool.
The project included installing advanced nanobubble ozone technology to reduce algae growth while adding a durable industrial liner designed to prevent leaks and improve the pool’s long-term performance.
According to administration officials, the newly installed liner was later damaged by vandals using a sharp object, creating the need for additional repairs just weeks after the restoration was completed.
Officials Say Damage Could Lead to Serious Charges
Burgum said the vandalism appears to be limited but warned that repairing the damage could still cost tens of thousands of dollars.
“Thankfully, the vandalism was relatively small,” Burgum said, noting that if repair costs reach a certain threshold, those responsible could face felony charges similar to other crimes involving destruction of federal property.
The administration has emphasized that protecting America’s historic monuments remains a top priority.
Additional Restoration Work Already Underway
The Reflecting Pool restoration involved multiple contractors.
In addition to Green Water Solutions’ work on the water treatment system and protective liner, Atlantic Industrial Coatings received a separate $14.7 million contract to repaint and waterproof the pool’s concrete foundation as part of the larger renovation effort.
Officials say the upgrades were designed to preserve one of the nation’s most visited memorials for decades to come.
Trump and Jeanine Pirro Promise Tough Enforcement
President Donald Trump and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro have both pledged to aggressively prosecute anyone responsible for damaging the historic landmark.
Authorities have already arrested more than five individuals as investigators continue examining the incident and determining who may have been involved.
The administration has repeatedly stressed that acts of vandalism against national monuments will not be tolerated.
Addressing America’s Park Maintenance Backlog
Despite the setback, Burgum praised the quality of the completed restoration and said he hopes attention can soon return to improving America’s national parks rather than repairing unnecessary damage.
“The work on the Reflecting Pool was done extremely well,” Burgum said. “Hopefully we can move beyond this and continue addressing the maintenance challenges throughout our national parks.”
The Interior Secretary also highlighted the administration’s broader effort to restore aging infrastructure across federal public lands.
Trump Renews Support for America’s National Parks
Burgum pointed to the Great American Outdoors Act, which originally provided approximately $1.9 billion annually between fiscal years 2021 and 2025 to repair aging roads, bridges, trails, visitor facilities, water systems, and other critical infrastructure across federal agencies.
The National Park Service has been one of the law’s largest beneficiaries, helping address billions of dollars in long-delayed maintenance projects nationwide.
As part of the nation’s America 250 celebration, President Trump renewed funding support for park improvements on Friday, saying preserving the country’s historic landmarks remains an important priority as the United States marks its 250th anniversary.
With repairs expected to begin soon, administration officials say they remain committed to restoring the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool while holding those responsible for the vandalism fully accountable.
