Overview
- Work on the drained Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool continues behind fencing as only about a third of the basin had been coated by early this week, and key joint repairs had yet to start, raising doubts about the schedule.
- The Interior Department used an urgency exception to award a no-bid contract to Atlantic Industrial Coatings for waterproofing and a blue coating, and the price has climbed past $13 million after the president first said the job would cost roughly $1.5 to $2 million.
- The Cultural Landscape Foundation sued to stop the project under the National Historic Preservation Act, arguing a blue basin would change a character‑defining feature, and it is seeking a court order to halt work.
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told House lawmakers he did not know who authorized the Freedom250 vehicle and said the pool was getting a liner rather than paint, a claim that conflicts with photos and reporting as scrutiny of the project grows.
- Reporting has flagged surface flaws such as bubbles, pinholes, and mottled shades of blue, tourists are encountering long stretches of black fencing and blocked views, and any further delays or defects could invite court intervention or deeper contract reviews.