Interior Secretary Denies Trump's 'Pool Guy' Link to Lincoln Memorial Contract
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources, clarifying that President Donald Trump’s so-called 'pool guy' was not involved in the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Burgum stated the individual merely offered free advice as a concerned citizen. The testimony addressed controversy surrounding a $13.1 million no-bid contract awarded to Atlantic Industrial Coatings LLC, a firm with no prior federal contracts. Burgum admitted he was unfamiliar with the company but defended the decision to bypass competitive bidding by citing urgent maintenance needs and potential 'serious injury' to the government if delays occurred. This justification faced skepticism from Democratic Representative Joe Neguse, who questioned the validity of the urgency claim. President Trump separately denied knowledge of the contractor on social media, asserting the Interior Department handled the award independently. The incident highlights ongoing scrutiny of the administration's procurement practices and spending decisions regarding national landmarks ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations.
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