Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended the recent renovations of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, stating that the project has been a "big success" despite ongoing repairs and increased costs. The initial renovation, which began in April, has already exceeded its original no-bid contract by $4 million, bringing the total cost to over $16 million.

Burgum appeared on ABC News' "This Week" on Sunday, July 5, 2026, to address concerns about the project's budget and condition. The renovations were a priority for the Trump administration in preparation for the nation's 250th anniversary celebration.

The secretary highlighted that the pool is no longer losing a significant amount of water, stating it's "fixed in the sense that it's no longer leaking 45,000 gallons a day." He attributed a small portion of the damage, less than one-tenth of one percent of the liner, to vandalism. Burgum assured that these damages would be repaired in the coming weeks.

Looking ahead, Burgum suggested that the cost of repairing the vandalized sections would be minimal. He explained that the majority of the expense was related to labor, materials for the liner, and the installation of a new "nanobubbler system" designed to combat algae, a persistent issue in shallow pools during hot weather.

President Trump has previously claimed that vandals caused a 350-foot gash in the pool's liner, suggesting the damage was inflicted with a knife or box-cutter. Burgum corroborated these claims, noting that additional security cameras have been installed around the Reflecting Pool to deter future incidents.

The Reflecting Pool renovations have faced scrutiny from critics, including House Oversight Committee Democrat Robert Garcia. In June, Garcia requested detailed information from contractors regarding the project, labeling it as a "failed vanity proj."

Burgum argued that the initial renovation was completed at a lower cost compared to previous projects. He emphasized that the focus has been on ensuring the pool's functionality and aesthetic appeal for national events.

With millions of Americans celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary, Burgum reiterated his confidence in the project's success and assured that all remaining repairs would be completed promptly.