Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation faces scrutiny after sealant failure

The renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has come under scrutiny following footage showing the failure of the project. Video captured by photographer Joe Flood shows workers peeling large chunks of blue sealant off the basin floor by hand and using pressure washers that knock loose more scraps of the coating.

The Trump administration had previously attributed damage to the pool to vandals, leading the U.S. Attorney’s Office to file charges against individuals, including former Olympic canoeist David Hearn. However, the Justice Department has since dropped these cases, admitting that the damage resulted from a “flawed” installation of the pool lining by Greenwater Services, a company awarded the project through a no-bid process.

Court filings indicate the administration was aware of the peeling paint nearly a month before bringing charges against the accused vandals. While the pool remains drained for repairs, the ongoing issues with the sealant have led to calls for congressional investigations into the project and the handling of the initial criminal allegations.