Trump Nominates Project 2025 Author as Interior IG Amid Reflecting Pool Probe
Democratic senators requested an Interior Department inspector general investigation into the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation after vandalism charges were dropped due to faulty contractor work. The request follows President Trump’s nomination of Dennis Kirk, a Project 2025 co-author, as Interior IG. Critics, including former IG Mark Lee Greenblatt, argue Kirk’s appointment undermines watchdog independence and threatens whistleblowers. The Interior IG office declined to comment.
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Trump Nominates Project 2025 Operative as Interior Inspector General, Overseeing Reflecting Pool Probe
President Trump has nominated Dennis Kirk, a Project 2025 author and former adviser to Tulsi Gabbard, as the Department of the Interior's inspector general. Kirk, who previously worked in the Office of Personnel Management, would oversee ethics investigations and any probes into the troubled $16 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The project has been plagued by a peeling paint job and unfounded vandalism allegations that led to spurious prosecutions. Democrats, including Representative Jared Huffman, have condemned the nomination, calling Kirk a 'fake and fraudulent watchdog.' Former Interior IG Mark Lee Greenblatt warned the appointment would have a 'chilling effect on whistleblowers.' Ex-Olympian David Hearn, who faced dropped vandalism charges, is exploring legal action against the government.
Trump Nominates Project 2025 Author Dennis Kirk as Interior Inspector General
President Trump has nominated Dennis Kirk, a Project 2025 author and former adviser to Tulsi Gabbard, as the Department of the Interior's inspector general. Kirk, who previously worked in the Office of Personnel Management, would oversee ethics investigations and probes into Trump's pet projects, including the troubled $16 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The renovation has been plagued by peeling paint and failed vandalism prosecutions. Democrats, led by Representative Jared Huffman, have denounced Kirk as a 'fake and fraudulent watchdog,' while former Interior IG Mark Lee Greenblatt warned of a chilling effect on whistleblowers. Separately, the article notes that over 60 congressional Democrats are investigating the Trump administration's detention and deportation of military spouses and families, accusing the Department of Defense of collaborating with Homeland Security.
Trump Nominates Project 2025 Operative Dennis Kirk as Interior Inspector General
President Trump has nominated Dennis Kirk, a Project 2025 author and former adviser to Tulsi Gabbard, as the Department of the Interior's inspector general. Kirk would oversee ethics investigations and any probes into the troubled $16 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which has been plagued by peeling paint and botched vandalism prosecutions. Democrats, led by Representative Jared Huffman, have condemned the nomination, calling Kirk a 'fake and fraudulent watchdog.' Former Interior IG Mark Lee Greenblatt warned the appointment would have a 'chilling effect on whistleblowers.' The nomination comes as ex-Olympian David Hearn explores legal action over dropped vandalism charges, and Democrats seek documents from the Interior and Justice Departments regarding the project and prosecutions.
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Project 2025 Co-Author Dennis Kirk Nominated as Interior Department Inspector General
President Donald Trump nominated Dennis Kirk, a co-author of the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, to serve as inspector general for the Interior Department on August 7, 2026. Kirk is reportedly already working in that office as a political appointee, raising concerns about his independence. Former Interior IG Mark Lee Greenblatt, who was fired at the start of Trump's second term, stated that Kirk's political background makes it impossible for him to credibly investigate the administration. Rep. Jared Huffman noted that the office is weighing serious ethics investigations into senior officials. Critics point to statutory requirements that IG appointments be made without regard to political affiliation and federal auditing standards against political bias. Kirk previously served as an adviser to former DNI Tulsi Gabbard and was nominated to the Merit Systems Protection Board during Trump's first term. Two Senate Democrats have also requested an IG investigation into the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation after charges were dropped against vandalism suspects.
Senators Seek IG Probe of Reflecting Pool Renovation Amid Concerns Over Watchdog Independence
Two Democratic senators, Sheldon Whitehouse and Martin Heinrich, have requested an investigation by the Interior Department's inspector general into the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation. The request follows the U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C. dropping vandalism charges and instead attributing damage to faulty contractor work. The call for an investigation comes amid controversy over the alleged placement of Dennis Kirk, a co-author of the conservative Project 2025 initiative, within the Interior IG office. Former IG Mark Lee Greenblatt and Rep. Jared Huffman criticized the appointment, arguing it undermines the watchdog's independence. The Interior IG office declined to comment. The report also notes similar political appointments at other agency IG offices under the Trump administration.
Senators Seek IG Probe of Reflecting Pool Renovation Amid Concerns Over Watchdog Independence
Two Democratic senators, Sheldon Whitehouse and Martin Heinrich, requested an investigation by the Interior Department's inspector general into the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation, following the dropping of vandalism charges due to likely faulty contractor work. The request comes amid allegations by former Interior IG Mark Lee Greenblatt and Rep. Jared Huffman that Dennis Kirk, a co-author of the conservative Project 2025 initiative, has been placed inside the Interior watchdog office. Critics argue this appointment undermines the office's independence, as Kirk is seen as a political operative. The Interior IG office declined to comment. The controversy highlights broader concerns about political appointees being installed in independent oversight offices under the Trump administration.
Senators Seek IG Probe of Reflecting Pool Renovation Amid Concerns Over Watchdog Independence
Two Democratic senators, Sheldon Whitehouse and Martin Heinrich, requested an investigation by the Interior Department inspector general into the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation after federal prosecutors dropped vandalism charges and suggested faulty contractor work caused damage. The request comes amid controversy over the alleged appointment of Dennis Kirk, a co-author of the conservative Project 2025 initiative, to the Interior IG office. Former Interior IG Mark Lee Greenblatt and Rep. Jared Huffman criticized the move, arguing it undermines the watchdog's independence. The Trump administration has reportedly placed political appointees in other IG offices as well. The Interior IG office declined to comment on the investigation request or Kirk's appointment.