Contractor errors, rather than vandalism, caused the blue coating at Washington’s Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to peel and tear, according to newly obtained government documents that contradict repeated claims from the Trump administration.
The records indicate that Atlantic Industrial Coatings identified shortcomings in both the repair plan and its execution. Workers allegedly failed to apply enough primer in some areas and used chemicals that were incompatible with the coating.
The contractor’s findings relate to the pool’s blue liner and damaged sections of its floor. Although investigators recorded minor cuts in caulking around the edges, the documents did not connect those marks to the widespread peeling or the damage to the pool’s surface.
Reflecting Pool repairs blamed on rushed installation
The problems emerged after the pool was drained and refurbished ahead of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of US independence. Federal prosecutors later said the work had been rushed to meet the timetable for events around 4 July.
In July, prosecutors moved to dismiss the vandalism case against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn and others accused of damaging the landmark. The Department of Justice said information subsequently supplied by the Department of the Interior indicated that the damage was caused by a flawed installation rather than vandalism.
The administration has nevertheless continued to argue that vandals were responsible. A Department of the Interior spokesperson said the project involved replacing areas damaged by “major vandalism”, including what officials described as long cuts made with razor blades.
The spokesperson also said that people had repeatedly reached into the pool and pulled at the coating. The contractor, however, did not link those alleged incidents to the main failure of the liner.
Attempts to repair the defective coating appear to have created further difficulties. Documents said moisture became trapped beneath a newly applied layer after a worker wearing a protective suit dripped sweat on to the surface earlier this month.
President Donald Trump has previously acknowledged “some contractor error” but continued to maintain that vandalism caused most of the damage. The latest documents present a fuller account of installation failures and design problems behind the deterioration.
The Reflecting Pool remains drained and enclosed by fencing, with no reopening date announced. The Department of the Interior said work would continue, including repairs to parts of the pool’s system, but did not provide a timetable for its return.
Visitors have expressed frustration at finding the iconic view between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument obscured. The contractor did not respond to requests for comment.
