The blue coating applied to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool this summer failed in at least 85 places. An inspection report revealed that errors in the renovation process were the cause, including prematurely refilling the basin before the liner dried. This information comes from a document obtained by The Washington Post.
The report, dated August 6 and commissioned by the contractor, highlights far more extensive damage than was previously reported. President Donald Trump attributed the damage to vandalism, but the report did not find evidence supporting this. Instead, issues arose from the use of improper materials and a rushed timeline to complete the project. The administration wanted the renovation done in time for the national 250th anniversary celebration.
Atlantic Coating Inspection’s 75-page “failure analysis” included numerous photos of the liner’s issues, such as blisters, peeling, and cracks. Eight of the ten expansion joints in the pool’s basin buckled, according to the findings.
Blisters formed in about 40 places due to moisture or trapped chemical fumes beneath the liner. Peeling was evident in nearly two dozen spots where coating layers separated from one another or the basin. Much of this damage was likely caused by workers applying the coating too close to the pool being refilled on June 4, which should have allowed 72 hours to cure.
The extensive issues appeared after Atlantic Industrial Coatings (AIC) finished a $14.7 million renovation, awarded under a no-bid contract. The administration claimed only a few contractors had the necessary qualifications and equipment. Later in August, the contractor submitted a repair plan, classifying most damages as cosmetic but recognizing others as systemic. Although the report pledged to cover repairs under warranty, the cost was not specified.
The report showed images of the pool’s expansion joints and blamed the damage mainly on “human oversight,” with workers likely applying insufficient primer. The August 14 report, reviewed by The New York Times and obtained by The Post, lacked specific numbers or an in-depth list of inspection findings.
Neither AIC nor the independent inspection company responded to questions. An Interior Department spokesperson confirmed AIC’s responsibility to fix the Reflecting Pool and stated the contractor’s goal to achieve perfection.
Trump’s administration continued to attribute the failings to neglect, despite the evidence of contractor errors. From its early construction in the 1920s, the Reflecting Pool faced issues with algae and leaks. A significant renovation in 2012 enhanced its structural support and filtration system.
In April, Trump pledged to clean the “filthy” pool water and resurface it with “American Flag Blue” colors. The work began in late April, with the pool initially coated in light blue primer, followed by dark blue. By early June, the pool was refilled, soon developing an algal bloom, and peeling paint was visible.
Trump and senior officials publicly blamed vandalism. However, an internal National Park Service report in June cited 13 damaged areas, linked only four to possible vandalism, and detailed repair costs exceeding $49,000.
In July, federal prosecutors charged four individuals, including Olympian David Hearn, for damaging the liner. Charges were later dropped due to contractor error revelations. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro criticized the Interior Department for not fully disclosing information.
The inspection identified 85 failure points and 88 additional damages attributed to testing by the Army Corps of Engineers, mostly surface-level but with some concrete exposure.
The most serious damage involved peeling along the pool’s expansion joints, intended for temperature-based movement to prevent concrete cracking. AIC allegedly disregarded manufacturer instructions on how to apply the coating correctly.
The Aug. 6 report emphasized two main points: adhere to curing time guidelines and test products before applying them. Despite dropping charges related to vandalism, Trump continued insisting there was vandalism involved.
For repairs, AIC would not reapply the same material over the expansion joints, opting for a more flexible substance. They planned to use fewer workers, enhancing supervision and aiming for a pristine outcome. AIC warned not to contact the repaired surface with water too soon.
Upon nearing repair completion, Trump claimed the pool’s latest fixes would significantly prevent vandalism.