Two Democratic senators seek Interior IG probe into Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation

Published Aug 6, 08:40 PM UTC

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.