Interior Secretary Doug Burgum engaged in a heated discussion with CNN’s Dana Bash recently regarding the damage to the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington, D.C. Burgum asserted that authorities are able to demonstrate that vandals had cut the new liner, despite Bash questioning whether renovations done during the Trump administration were mishandled just before the Fourth of July.
Bash pressed Burgum, asking if he was “100% sure” that vandalism was the cause and if he could provide proof. Burgum responded confidently, saying, “You absolutely can,” and referred to the images available as clear evidence.
He expressed confusion over why Bash and others in the media continued to question the situation. “This is an industrial liner,” he said, comparing it to the durable spray-on material used for pickup truck beds, which he claimed doesn’t peel or detach easily. “Any American farmer or rancher knows that it literally never peels or falls off,” he added, emphasizing the robustness of the materials used.
Burgum explained that the pattern of damage indicates it was a deliberate act. “The only way to have an actual slice left in one place and not another is for someone to physically cut it,” he stated. He noted the pool was undergoing repairs due to significant water loss, having leaked tens of thousands of gallons each day, but now it was fixed and functioning well.
Addressing Bash’s comments regarding the pool’s status during the Fourth of July celebrations, he clarified that it was closed to ensure safety as it was surrounded by fireworks. “It closes on July 4th every year,” Burgum noted.
Furthermore, Burgum commented on broader conditions related to the capital’s state before renovations, pointing out that previous issues, such as pro-Hamas graffiti, had gone largely unreported.
Bash also raised concerns about whether the pool’s lining had been damaged when President Trump’s motorcade crossed the area earlier. Burgum dismissed this suggestion, explaining that they used a Cadillac Escalade for the drive, not “the Beast.”
He confirmed that the same company responsible for the initial work would handle the repairs, emphasizing their quality performance. Thankfully, he mentioned the damage, while severe, could be fixable, albeit at an expense potentially reaching tens of thousands of dollars. According to reports, parts of the pool will need to be drained soon, and existing contracts for purification and waterproofing services will remain unchanged.
