Interior Secretary Doug Burgum declared Sunday that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is now “completely clean and clear,” ending a weeks-long controversy over algae blooms that marred a $14.6 million renovation. Appearing on CNN’s State of the Union, Burgum said the green scum that alarmed visitors and drew sharp criticism from Democrats was a temporary byproduct of refilling the pool.
“The algae is all gone,” Burgum told host Dana Bash. “That was a momentary thing as the pool was being refilled — there was algae in the pipes. But the new technology, the nanobubblers that have been installed, if you go down there today and look at it, it is completely clean and clear.”
The Trump administration has faced scrutiny over the project, which included painting the pool bottom “American flag” blue and installing advanced filtration systems. Officials have repeatedly defended the work, pointing to broader restoration efforts across the National Mall. “We restored 48 monuments, 22 fountains, eliminated 1,000 graffiti sites,” Burgum said. “The capital looks better than ever.”
But the controversy didn’t end with the algae. President Trump and others alleged that vandals deliberately poured chemicals into the water and cut an industrial liner designed to prevent leaks. Those claims led to the arrest of several individuals, including former Olympic canoer David Hearn, who was indicted Thursday on charges of destruction of government property. Hearn insists he only touched the water and denies wrongdoing.
Burgum offered no sympathy. “You can be a former governor, a former this, a former that, but just because you were a former something doesn’t exclude you from the law today,” he said. “He can say what he wants — I wasn’t there, I was not an eyewitness. The courts will decide, but I think the law stands. If people are damaging federal property, they should face consequences.”
The former Olympic canoer’s indictment has drawn comparisons to other high-profile cases, with critics noting the administration’s aggressive response to pool vandalism contrasts with its handling of other crimes. Meanwhile, the National Park Service has blamed a sharp tool for the liner damage, and Trump ordered the pool drained after the algae and vandalism claims emerged.
Burgum’s assurances come as the administration seeks to move past the episode. “For the first time, there’s an actual solution that involves making sure we’ve got an algae-free pond,” he said, touting the nanobubbler technology as a permanent fix. Whether the public buys that narrative remains to be seen, but for now, the reflecting pool appears clear.
