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Drained Reflecting Pool reveals faded liner after renovation
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's bottom surface has faded and shown peeling paint shortly after being lined with a protective coating described by President Trump as "American flag blue."
- The renovation project, initially estimated at $1.5 million, has escalated to over $16 million and has faced delays beyond the July 4 deadline for the nation's 250th birthday celebration.
- Trump has blamed vandals for damage to the pool's liner, including a reported "350-foot gash," although critics attribute the issues to poor repair work; no large slashes were visible during recent inspections.
- Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn and at least three others have been charged with vandalism related to the pool, but their legal teams and critics argue they are being unfairly targeted amid controversy over the pool's condition.
- The National Park Service plans to repair the alleged vandalism and refill the pool after debris removal from Independence Day fireworks, with oversight from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
