Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced on July 5, 2026, that the same company awarded a no-bid contract to paint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will be used to repair damage to the pool. The company, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, received a $13.1 million contract for the painting, which had initially been estimated at $1.5 million to $2 million. Burgum stated in an interview on CNN’s "State of the Union" that the company performed well, despite claims that paint has come loose due to vandalism.
The project has faced scrutiny due to its cost and the company's previous work on Trump properties. The owner of Atlantic Industrial Coatings indicated that the project price increased to $14.6 million due to additional work required by the National Park Service.
Additionally, a $1.7 million contract was awarded to Green Water Solutions to address algae growth in the pool. Former President Trump claimed, without evidence, that the paint issues were caused by vandalism, leading to arrests, including that of U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was indicted for alleged property damage. Hearn has denied the charges and stated that he was detained after touching a detached piece of coating. Burgum commented on Hearn's case, emphasizing that legal accountability applies to all individuals, regardless of their past positions.