What's corroborated

President Donald Trump used a government exemption to give a $6.9 million no-bid contract to Atlantic Industrial Coatings to repaint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Rogers said Trump selected 'American Flag Blue' for the paint color to improve reflection qualities.

The NPS is also investing in a state-of-the-art ozone nanobubbler filtration system and will have a dedicated crew for maintenance.

An Interior Department spokesperson defended the project, stating that the National Park Service chose the best company to expedite repairs ahead of the 250th celebrations.

The spokesperson said the choice of American Flag Blue will enhance the visitor experience by making the pool reflect the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument.

The group has asked a judge to temporarily stop the work as the legal battle plays out.

The group also pointed to other Trump administration projects, including the demolition of the White House's East Wing to make room for a new ballroom.

The complaint argues that the dark grey basin color is a key character-defining feature of the site and should be subject to historic preservation review.

The lawsuit alleges that the application of blue paint violates federal law, including the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

Atlantic Industrial Coatings' website does not mention pool work but cites examples like reinforcing roofing and rehabilitating a culvert.

The contract was given to Atlantic Industrial Coatings on April 3.

The pool underwent massive construction in 2010 but still faced filtration problems leading to algae blooms.

The pool has sunk into the ground over time because it was built on marshland.

Experts told The New York Times that changing the color was unlikely to fix the pool's long-standing problems.

Work on the reflecting pool has already begun; crews were spraying blue paint on the 2,030-foot pool.

White House Spokesperson Taylor Rogers said the project is being completed at 'Trump Speed' and ahead of schedule.

Trump referred to the contractor as 'a guy who's unbelievable at doing swimming pools up the road.'

Trump used the exemption to expedite work on the reflecting pool as part of projects ahead of America's 250th birthday.

The exemption is typically reserved for urgent situations to prevent serious injury or financial loss to the government.