Clash Over Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Damage

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum had a heated exchange with CNN’s Dana Bash regarding damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Bash questioned if vandalism was to blame and if the Trump administration’s renovation had failed before the Fourth of July.

Burgum assured that vandalism was the cause, stating, “Absolutely you can, and as we drain it, we’ve got all the photographs we can see.” He emphasized photographs would show the damage was deliberate.

Dana, I’m not sure why you and others in the media think that you want to keep trying to question… this is an industrial liner.

Burgum mentioned that the pool’s liner, a high-strength material, was cut and did not peel off as mistakenly presumed. The liner resembles the sprayed-on lining used in truck beds, showing cuts are the only way the damage occurred.

The pool had once leaked 45,000 gallons daily but was repaired during President Trump’s term, noted Burgum. It’s now intact as repairs continue.

Burgum defended closing the pool during July 4th due to fireworks setup, not vandalism, affirming it’s an annual closure. Fencing around the fireworks area was temporary.

Bash posed whether Trump’s motorcade might have damaged the pool’s coating during a May visit. Burgum refuted, indicating the motorcade did not involve heavy vehicles.

Trust in previous repairs remained high as the same contractors would address the damages. Reports said Green Water Solutions held a $1.7 million contract for a water-purification system, while Atlantic Industrial Coatings had a $14.7 million contract for repainting and waterproofing.

CJ Womack, Associate Editor at Fox News Digital with expertise in political journalism, underscores the importance of journalism in shaping public discourse.