President Donald Trump has nominated Dennis Kirk, a co-author of the conservative policy agenda known as Project 2025, to serve as inspector general for the Department of the Interior. The position would include oversight responsibilities related to any review of the recent renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Mr. Kirk’s nomination was announced last week and now awaits Senate confirmation.
Mr. Kirk is a former adviser to Tulsi Gabbard during her tenure as director of national intelligence and has worked as a staff member at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. He co-authored parts of Project 2025, a detailed proposal promoting significant executive branch changes.
The nomination comes amid controversy surrounding the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a prominent national landmark that underwent rapid repairs earlier this year. The Interior Department’s effort to expedite the pool’s renovation resulted in a widely criticized outcome: a blue lining installed in the pool began to peel, and the water purification systems failed, leading to significant algae blooms that turned the pool green. Officials have since committed to redoing the work to address these issues.
Earlier, President Trump blamed vandals for the pool’s deterioration without presenting evidence. The department, led by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, approved several no-bid contracts to vendors, citing tight timelines to avoid delays, a move that has drawn scrutiny. Last week, House Democrats requested that the Interior Department’s inspector general investigate the procurement and renovation process. The office typically does not comment on ongoing inquiries, and it is unclear whether such an investigation is underway.
On social media, President Trump acknowledged that the pool’s problems were partly due to “some contractor error done by rushing the job for a July 4th opening,” marking a shift from his earlier accusations. He noted there was “no video or proof” supporting claims of vandalism but continued to attribute some responsibility to David Hearn, a former U.S. Olympian who had been charged with felony vandalism by the U.S. attorney in Washington, Jeanine Pirro. Several charges against individuals accused of vandalism were later dropped after officials determined the pool’s deterioration resulted from the failed repairs alone. The reflecting pool remains drained as repair efforts continue.
Democrats have criticized Mr. Kirk’s nomination, expressing concern that it represents an effort by the White House to install loyalists in watchdog roles meant to provide independent oversight. Representative Jared Huffman of California described the nomination as part of a broader attempt to place allies within offices intended to investigate the administration. Mark Greenblatt, who previously served as a nonpartisan Interior Department inspector general before being removed during a mass firing last year, called on the Senate to reject Mr. Kirk’s nomination, emphasizing the need for inspectors general to investigate administrations without bias or fear.
The White House defended Mr. Kirk’s nomination in a statement, highlighting his government experience and commitment to the rule of law. “We look forward to Mr. Kirk being confirmed as the next inspector general at Interior,” the statement said.