Demand GAO Audit of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool & Its No-Bid Contract

A reflecting pool renovation, initially estimated by the president to cost $1.5 to $2 million, has now reached approximately $16 million in federal contracts. Part of the work was awarded without competitive bidding to Atlantic Industrial Coatings. This company had previously worked at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia and had never held a federal contract. This is exactly the kind of situation that competitive bidding is meant to prevent. Yet, the work is failing. The blue polyurea coating is delaminating, the water turned green with algae within days of refilling, and the administration paid another $1.74 million for a system to address the algae problem caused by the project. This involves public funds and a national monument, not a private renovation. I am asking you to take three actions. First, request a Government Accountability Office or Inspector General audit of the total costs for the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation and how all contracts were awarded. Second, request the records related to the no-bid contract awarded to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, including any links to the president's private businesses. Third, ensure that any future repairs are competitively bid and that the National Park Service provides an estimate of the cost to taxpayers to redo the failed coating. The Lincoln Memorial belongs to the public. Please ensure transparency in the spending and that all contracts are above board.