Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Sunday aired his frustrations with the continued attention that the botched renovation of the reflecting pool has received and doubled down on the Trump administration’s claim that vandals are to blame for its condition.
Speaking to Dana Bash on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Burgum said, “We’ve got all the photographs we can see” to prove that vandals cut portions of the pool bottom.
The administration’s insistence that people have cut up the rubber bottom of the reflecting pool was the latest step on the troubled path to renovating the reflecting pool ahead of America’s 250th birthday, which was yesterday. At least seven people have been arrested for allegedly damaging the pool, the administration has said.
The reflecting pool was at the center of President Donald Trump’s efforts to beautify Washington D.C., a multi-million dollar renovation project to seal leaks and alter the color of its base, but the renovations became mired in controversy after algae began growing soon after the pool reopened. Shortly thereafter, segments of the “American flag blue” liner began to appear floating in the water.
But, without outside interference, Burgum said, the sealant “would never just, like, peel off or fall off.”
One man charged with damaging the pool is David Hearn, 67, a former U.S. Olympian who faces 10 years in prison if convicted on felony destruction of property charges.
Hearn has denied those charges and said he did not remove or damage any part of the pool.
Asked whether Hearn should face such a stark penalty, Burgum said the “courts will decide” but emphasized the need to defend federal property.
“If people are defaming our monuments, they should face the consequences of that,” Burgum said.
One possible reason for the damage that the Interior Secretary did not entertain: The president’s motorcade ride over the unfinished pool that he took before it reopened.
Burgum said that the vehicles in the motorcade were lighter than the fully armored outfit the president usually travels in, adding that the rubber pool bottom had not yet been installed.
“There was no damage that night whatsoever,” he said.
Burgum also touted the Interior Department’s work restoring monuments and fountains across the nation’s capitol and lamented the “myopic focus” on the issues with the reflecting pool.
“I can’t understand why people want to keep talking about the beautiful, beautiful reflecting pool,” he said.