Interior Secretary Critiques Media Coverage of Lincoln Memorial Renovation
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has criticized established media for their focus on the Trump administration’s renovation work on the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool in Washington, D.C.
The Trump administration is undertaking restoration efforts in anticipation of America’s 250th anniversary, which involves beautifying landmarks, including the Reflecting Pool. Nevertheless, some media outlets have expressed skepticism about these initiatives.
For instance, an article in the Washington Post analyzed the shade of blue selected for the pool’s bottom, with a “color consultant” suggesting it might appear “very gruesome.” Additionally, the New York Times has raised concerns about the renovations, which prompted comments from Secretary Burgum.
Burgum pointed out on social media, “The @nytimes has TDS, but dismisses crucial facts. Recently, the final materials for the 2.5 miles of expansion joints in the reflecting pool passed testing. One full-scale joint is being installed now, with four more scheduled for tomorrow and Saturday.” He emphasized that the expansion joints installed during the Obama administration had significant issues, leaking millions of gallons of water and costing taxpayers significantly.
“President Trump isn’t just beautifying the Reflecting Pool; he’s correcting the failures of the previous administration that squandered taxpayer dollars,” Burgum remarked.
He also noted that the Trump administration is employing “industrial-grade leak-proof materials” for the expansion joints. He elaborated that the massive slab at the bottom of the pool, which is longer than the Empire State Building, undergoes expansion and contraction with temperature changes. Special materials are crucial to prevent damage, which he implied the Obama administration overlooked.
“In tests during a cool night last week, our test joint expanded over an inch, yet the material held up perfectly, ensuring a solid seal against leaks. Honestly, @POTUS is an experienced builder,” he concluded, criticizing the media for misrepresenting the situation.
Burgum summarized by stating, “President Trump is leading efforts to restore D.C. in a way that’s not only safe and visually appealing but also efficient in terms of cost. This restoration should serve as a blueprint for cities across America.”
During a recent Cabinet meeting, President Trump discussed the upgrades as well, saying, “It’s not as straightforward as people might think. You definitely don’t want water leaks; it has to look nice.” He recounted a warning from a friend in Germany about the pool’s condition and shared how he wasn’t pleased when he visited it himself.
“It was terrible; it often lacked water, and when it did, it was just dirty,” he said, assuring that the project would be finished by July 4.
