Reflecting Pool Contractor Admits ‘Human Oversight’—Not Vandals—Led To Peeling, Report Says

Key Facts

The contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, said in reports to the Trump administration that “human oversight” resulted in workers failing to spray enough primer in some areas of the pool, meaning the layers of liner could not properly stick together.

Heat caused the bottom layer to loosen, according to the documents reviewed by the Times, which said Katie Martin, a spokeswoman for the Interior Department, seemingly continued to blame vandals for the damage in a statement to the news outlet, claiming they “repeatedly reached into the pool and ripped at the coating.”

Repairs on the pool are still continuing and remains drained as of this week, marking the fourth time it has been cleared of water as renovations have dragged on for months.

Atlantic acknowledged its own errors in an Aug. 14 report, the Times reported, adding the company provided additional detail in a Sept. 2 report, weeks after the Justice Department began dropping charges against alleged vandals.

Big Number

$14.7 million. That is how much Atlantic is being paid to repair the Reflecting Pool.

Key Background

Trump first floated Reflecting Pool renovations in April, seeking to paint the pool’s floor “American Flag Blue” and to finally solve its periodic algae blooms that turn the water green. Renovations began in May and by June, the pool’s water began appearing green, which the National Park Service worked to clear. Crews also used hydrogen peroxide to fight off the algae blooms and shortly after, parts of the pool’s liner began peeling off and could be seen floating on the surface. Former Olympian David Hearn was arrested after touching a loose piece of the liner and later charged with destruction of property. His case triggered a wave of unsupported vandalism claims from the president and his administration, who alleged others were cutting the pool with knives even though the president said in May that blades would not be able to cut through the “powerful” lining. In addition to Hearn, three others were hit with vandalism charges. However, Hearn’s case was dropped last month after an investigation from U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro found the pool’s renovation “indicated a rushed and flawed installation process.” Trump continued to double down on his vandalism claims despite the charges being dropped.

Further Reading

White House Seeking New Charges Against David Hearn After Dropped Reflecting Pool Vandalism Case, Report Says (Forbes)

Trump Doubles Down On Reflecting Pool Vandal Claims—After Pirro Drops Vandalism Case (Forbes)