Topline
The contractor tasked by the Trump administration with renovating the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool this summer stated in government documents that its own errors led to the broken and peeled liner, contradicting President Donald Trump’s claims that vandals were responsible, according to The New York Times.
Workers re-coat the base of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on September 08, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images
Key Facts
Atlantic Industrial Coatings reported to the administration that “human oversight” resulted in workers failing to spray enough primer in some areas, preventing the liner layers from adhering properly.
Heat caused the bottom layer to loosen, per documents reviewed by the Times, while Katie Martin, an Interior Department spokeswoman, continued to blame vandals, claiming they “repeatedly reached into the pool and ripped at the coating.”
Repairs remain ongoing and the pool stays drained, marking the fourth time it has been cleared of water as renovations have extended for months.
Atlantic acknowledged its errors in an Aug. 14 report and provided additional detail on Sept. 2, weeks after the Justice Department began dropping charges against alleged vandals.
Big Number
$14.7 million. That is how much Atlantic is being paid to repair the Reflecting Pool.
Key Background
Trump first proposed Reflecting Pool renovations in April, seeking to paint the floor “American Flag Blue” and resolve periodic algae blooms. Renovations began in May, and by June the water turned green, which the National Park Service worked to clear. Crews used hydrogen peroxide to fight algae, and shortly after, parts of the liner began peeling and floating. Former Olympian David Hearn was arrested after touching a loose piece and later charged with destruction of property. His case prompted unsupported vandalism claims from the president and administration, who alleged others were cutting the pool with knives despite Trump’s May statement that blades could not cut through the “powerful” lining. Three others also faced vandalism charges. However, Hearn’s case was dropped last month after U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro found the renovation indicated a rushed and flawed installation. Trump continued to double down on vandalism claims despite the charges being dropped.
