Chief Critics
Experts have said it is unlikely vandalism is responsible for the problems with the renovation and said that there are many other, and more likely, possible reasons for the reflecting pool’s issues. Steve Goodale, a swimming pool expert, told PBS News the type of surface coatings used in the reflecting pool renovation “are extremely strong, durable and relatively puncture resistant.” He said he has seen no evidence the pool lining was cut by vandals, and said issues with preparing or installing the lining could easily have caused the problems: “It is literally a technical masterclass of challenging conditions,” he said. David McFayden, CEO of the paint and inspections services company KTA-Tator, told Scientific American that how the pool was prepared before the coating was applied is worth investigating. FactCheck.org has put together a timeline of documentation during the renovation process and found the new material in the pool had problems before the alleged vandalism. Democrats this week said they want the administration to explain why contracts related to the pool’s renovation were awarded without a bidding process and if the speed of the process contributed to the ongoing problems.
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CRUCIAL QUOTE
“These are the people we are dealing with,” Trump said of the alleged vandals. “These are the people who want to destroy our country.”
CONTRA
Trump earlier had said it would be extremely hard for vandals to damage the pool’s lining. On May 4, weeks before the renovation was done, Trump said of the new coating: “It’s very strong. You couldn’t—if you had a knife—I don’t want to give anybody ideas, if you had a knife, you can’t even cut it, so strong, so powerful.”
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Key background
Trump announced in April he wanted to refurbish the Reflecting Pool, which he described as a “dirty disgusting place,” ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary. He said at the time that the project would add an “American flag blue” paint job to the basin’s surface, cost about $2 million and last up to 50 years. Work took place in the spring and early summer and the pool was refilled in June, but an algae bloom returned just days later, turning the pool a sickly green color. Visitors began seeing signs of damage to the new lining in the following days.
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further reading
ForbesReflecting Pool Won’t Be Drained Until After July 4, New Filing ShowsBy Zachary FolkForbesSeventh Person Arrested For Reflecting Pool VandalismBy Zachary FolkForbesTrump Says Alleged Reflecting Pool Vandals Should Be Jailed ‘For A Long Time’By Antonio Pequeño IV