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John Cafaro and Curtis Wood in Hot Water as Congress Investigates Trump Reflecting Pool Fiasco
A senior Democratic senator has launched an investigation into the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after the project, which cost more than $16 million, was followed by a major algae bloom and reports of peeling paint. Senator Jeff Merkley, the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, is seeking information from the two contractors awarded contracts for the work, as well as Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
The renovation project, which President Donald Trump had closely associated himself with, was intended to refurbish the iconic Washington DC landmark. However, shortly after completion, the pool turned bright green and was fenced off while crews began repair work.
Trump has argued that vandals were responsible for damaging the pool, though no evidence has been publicly provided to support that claim.
According to records cited by lawmakers, Atlantic Industrial Coatings received a $14.7m contract to carry out waterproofing and painting work on the pool, significantly above an original estimate of $6.7m. Green Water Solutions received a further $1.7m contract to install a new filtration system.
In a statement announcing the inquiry, Sen Merkley said: "After railing about waste, fraud, and abuse, Donald Trump spent more than $16 million on a renovation of the Reflecting Pool that's now peeling and chock full of algae. "This is a massive waste of working families' hard-earned tax dollars. I'm launching an investigation because taxpayers deserve swift answers—and a refund."
On Thursday, the senator sent letters to Green Water Solutions chief executive John Cafaro, Atlantic Industrial Coatings chief executive Curtis Wood, and Burgum seeking details about how the contracts were awarded, why costs increased substantially, and why the completed work failed.
The inquiry also asks whether any personal or political relationships played a role in the selection of contractors.
Responding to questions about the investigation, an Interior Department spokesperson said: "The White House was not involved in the selection process for any contract and did not weigh in on the companies selected. Full stop." "The companies were selected because they had the expertise, workforce and materials needed to complete such a huge project in the timeline required to celebrate our nation's 250th."
The department did not provide evidence to support the president's allegations of vandalism.
Trump has repeatedly highlighted the project and visited the site while work was underway. In May, his motorcade drove onto the drained Reflecting Pool during an inspection of the renovation. Sen Merkley is seeking information on whether any contractor or subcontractor approved the presidential motorcade, which included numerous armoured vehicles, driving over newly repaired expansion joints.
The investigation is also examining the decision to pour hydrogen peroxide into the pool after algae began appearing shortly after it was refilled. The senator is asking whether the measure was recommended by contractors or government officials and whether it complied with warranty requirements.
Questions have also been raised about the decision to paint the bottom of the pool what Mr Trump described as "American Flag Blue". Sen Merkley has requested information on whether the colour and type of paint used are standard for large reflecting pools and whether concerns were raised during the project.
Separately, Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia, the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, has also requested information from both contractors. In his letter, Garcia noted that Cafaro had made donations to Trump's campaign and organisations aligned with the president. He also said Green Water Solutions had previously received only one other federal contract, which was also awarded without a competitive bidding process during Trump's presidency.
Garcia has asked both companies to provide information about the project and the reported system failures by 8 July. While Democrats currently have limited power to compel the Trump administration to provide information, the investigations indicate the scrutiny the project may face in Congress in the coming months.
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