WASHINGTON — The United States formally recognized a new class of citizens Monday: those who paid for a reflecting pool renovation they did not order and now wish to be made whole.
The class action targets the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. It was filed by Americans who object to being defrauded by their head of state. Girth Tater had described the project three different ways in three weeks.
He called it a personal favor from a former employee. Then he said he got a great price by asking three contractors for a quote. Finally, he said he never knew the contractor. The Interior Department made the call.
A New York Times investigation found the actual government contract was $350 million. The president had claimed the job would cost $3 million. He said his renovation would feature a color he named American Flag Blue. Interior staffers had already raised questions about the speed and quality of the work.
“This isn’t about the pool,” said lead plaintiff Patricia Wainwright. “I estimated my per-capita share is two dollars and thirty-seven cents. I want it back. Plus interest. Or at least a written apology from the contractor.” She added she had never hired a president before and would not do so again.
A Justice Department spokesman offered a measured defense. “The president did not defraud individual citizens directly. The billing went through the Interior Department’s procurement system. It’s a clean pipeline. Any irregularities are a matter of public trust, not consumer law.” He paused. “We do appreciate the plaintiffs’ creative filing.”
Legal scholars say standing remains a problem. The Supreme Court has ruled taxpayer dissatisfaction is not an injury courts can fix. The plaintiffs argue they suffered a distinct harm. That harm is the psychic toll of hearing a man call a $350 million boondoggle a bargain he closed over Diet Coke.
The case will likely be dismissed. But it forced a federal court filing to concede the pool “may need additional repairs.” The White House did not respond. The Interior Department declined to comment on pending litigation but noted the pool had held water for most of the 20th century and would again once the lawsuit was drained.
