Donald Trump’s revamped reflecting pool is back under the microscope following the midterm, with the latest findings raising eyebrows. The newly observed flaws have put the administration’s repair job under fresh scrutiny. The pool’s finish has now become the center of attention.
Newly observed coating defects raise questions about the Lincoln Memorial project
Washington Post reporters found at least 20 uneven areas, where pale blue streaks broke up the promised “American flag blue.” They also spotted at least 10 places where the lining appeared to lift, plus bumps, repair marks and a gap exposing red tape.
The trouble spots appear concentrated along the pool’s southwestern side, near the Lincoln Memorial. Crews recently worked on the perimeter expansion joint there. Two people familiar with the matter spoke to the Post. They said the National Park Service flagged uneven coloring across repaired areas last week.
The White House, however, pushed back against the growing concerns. A spokesperson blamed the lighter patches on “surplus coating,” arguing that the discoloration would eventually “fade” or could simply be “scrubbed off.” The spokesperson also brushed aside photos showing a...