The turmoil over the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovations in Washington continues. On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Congressional Democrats demanded investigations into the pool's repair project. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
President Donald Trump's $16 million rehabilitation project has been a top news story for weeks. The White House has repeatedly blamed unidentified vandals without evidence for peeling paint and other problems. President Trump said six people have been arrested but provided no details. A local wildlife nonprofit conducted necropsies on dead ducks found near the Reflecting Pool. The president said the pool may need to be drained again for additional repairs.
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, challenged the Trump administration over no-bid contracts for work on the Reflecting Pool, saying they were awarded to vendors with previous relationships to Trump. National Park Service projects undertaken at Trump's behest have stirred controversy.