Trump officials admit Reflecting Pool work was 'botched'

The U.S. Department of Justice has conceded that the $14 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was "hasty and botched." This admission arises as government lawyers move to dismiss a criminal case against a former Olympian accused of deliberately damaging the monument.

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hasty and botched

President Donald Trump had ordered the multi-million-dollar renovation earlier this year, intending to repair leaks and tint the water a shade he called "American flag blue." Contracts were awarded to two selected businesses, including a swimming pool contractor, bypassing the usual requirement for competitive bids by citing urgency to complete the project by July 4. However, shortly after completion, the pool turned bright green due to an algae bloom.

In an attempt to rectify the situation before the blue lining began to peel, government workers were observed pouring large quantities of bleach into the water. Trump later claimed, without providing evidence, that vandals had introduced "corrosive and destructive chemicals" into the pool. The incident gained further attention when former Olympic canoeist David "Davey" Hearn was detained and later indicted for allegedly "maliciously" damaging the lining after touching a peeling section of the pool during a bike ride.

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They want to intimidate us, silence us, bend us, shut us up, but it will not happen. We will defend Mexico, even if it costs us our lives.

Hearn has pleaded not guilty to the felony charge of property destruction, which carried a maximum sentence of 10 years. His lawyers highlighted "irregularities" in the legal process, pointing to testimony from a National Park Service official indicating the pool was already significantly damaged before Hearn's alleged actions. The witness stated the pool was losing over a million gallons of water weekly and its liner already had a rip, raising questions about any damage attributable to Hearn.

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The witness's testimony established that the pool had substantial preexisting (sic) damage requiring repair before any alleged conduct by Mr Hearn.