The Trump administration has decided not to solicit new bids for repairs to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after vandalism damaged the structure during ongoing renovation efforts, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced Sunday. Burgum affirmed that the existing contractor would continue the repair work, citing their previous performance as satisfactory.

The reflecting pool, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., sustained multiple cuts to its liner totaling approximately 350 feet, damage that officials attribute to deliberate vandalism. Burgum and President Donald Trump have both underscored their conviction that the damage was intentional. Trump has criticized the incident publicly, emphasizing the severity of the destruction amid efforts to refurbish the nearly century-old landmark.

Work on the pool began earlier this year, with Trump promising improvements ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary on July Fourth. The renovation included draining the pool and painting the base a shade described by Trump as “American flag blue.” Following restoration, however, the water experienced an algae bloom lasting over a week, and some sections of the new coating started to peel, raising concerns about the quality and durability of the work.

Burgum clarified that the pool's closure during Independence Day celebrations was related to fireworks safety precautions rather than ongoing repair issues. Nonetheless, the project has drawn broader scrutiny regarding the administration’s sweeping attempts to overhaul notable Washington landmarks during President Trump’s final term.

Several individuals have been arrested in connection with the damage, including former Olympian David Hearn, who was indicted on a felony charge of property destruction. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro alleged that Hearn deliberately tore up newly applied sealant on the pool and behaved aggressively toward an employee who attempted to intervene. The reported damage exceeded $1,000, a threshold considered significant under federal law.

Hearn’s legal representatives, including Democracy Defenders Fund co-founder Norm Eisen and attorney Mary Dohrmann, dismissed the charges as exaggerated and a misuse of governmental authority aimed at an average citizen. They argued that the case reflected a false narrative employed by prosecutors.

When questioned about the evidence underpinning the vandalism claims, Burgum did not disclose whether photographic documentation exists and refrained from commenting directly on the appropriateness of potential prison sentences. He emphasized that all individuals, regardless of past achievements, are subject to the law and that judicial proceedings would ultimately determine guilt and punishment.

Questions have also emerged regarding the contracts awarded for the project, both of which were granted without competitive bidding to firms with previous connections to President Trump. Green Water Solutions—a company specializing in water purification based in Ohio—received $1.7 million to install a filtration system, while Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings was contracted for $14.7 million to repaint and waterproof the pool’s concrete floor.

The project has attracted the attention of lawmakers, with approximately ten Democratic senators and House members initiating investigations into contract procurement and project management. The Reflecting Pool repair controversy thus highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in federal infrastructure undertakings during the current administration.