Politics

Trump Picks Project 2025 Author for Interior IG Role

Is Trump hiring a loyalist to do his bidding or seeking accountability for reflecting pool sabotage?

AUG 11·Updated AUG 12

Trump Picks Project 2025 Author for Interior IG Role

Story

Above: A partially filled Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 11. Image credit: Bill Clark/Getty Images

The Spin

Anti-Trump narrative

Nominating a Project 2025 author to this position is a transparent attempt to shield the administration from accountability. Dennis Kirk's ideological alignment with Trump makes any probe into the botched $16 million Reflecting Pool renovation a sham before it even starts. Whistleblowers have every reason to stay silent when the watchdog is only loyal to the people being watched.

The New Republic

Chris Van Hollen on X

Pro-Trump narrative

The Reflecting Pool damage was a coordinated vandalism campaign targeting a beautification project. A credible National Park Service witness saw David Hearn violently damage the pool's coating, and "8647" markings tied to ActBlue showed up across the National Mall. Strong oversight is exactly what's needed to hold bad actors accountable and protect public monuments.

Eric Daugherty on X FOX News

Limited Coverage

This story currently has limited reporting from right-leaning sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.