The Interior Department added $6.2 million to the no-bid contract for repairs to the Lincoln Memorial pool late last week.
Atlantic Industrial Coatings was hired to repair leaking joints between the pool’s concrete slabs, waterproof the pool’s bottom and paint it a shade called “American flag blue.”Credit…Al Drago for The New York Times
President Trump said that his handpicked contractor would charge only $1.8 million to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and paint it blue.
The actual cost is now more than seven times that, after the Interior Department nearly doubled the size of the contract late last week, federal records show.
On Friday, the Interior Department added $6.2 million to the contract’s previous cost, saying it now planned to pay $13.1 million to a Virginia firm called Atlantic Industrial Coatings. President Trump said he chose that company to repair the landmark because the firm had worked on the swimming pools at his golf club in Sterling, Va.
The government awarded that firm a no-bid contract last month, bypassing the requirement to seek competing offers by saying that the situation was so urgent that any delay would cause “serious injury” to the government. The government has not publicly said what that injury would have been.
Instead, it has cited Mr. Trump’s desire to get the work done before the country’s 250th birthday on July 4.
Public contracting records do not say why the contract’s cost increased so sharply on Friday. Katie Martin, a spokeswoman for the Interior Department, said that the higher price “reflects the effort necessary to expedite the timeline of completing the leak prevention coating project — more people, more materials, more equipment and longer hours ahead of our 250th.”
Atlantic Industrial Coatings did not respond to questions about the increase.
But government documents obtained by The New York Times show that the contract’s current value matches, down to the dollar, an offer submitted to the government by Atlantic Industrial Coatings in the middle of last month. That offer included a 20 percent profit margin, the documents show.
Competitive bidding laws aim to ensure that the government is getting a fair price from its vendors.
Image
“Every day that the resurfacing continues, the historic character of the Reflecting Pool is being further and fundamentally altered,” a lawsuit filed Monday said.Credit…Al Drago for The New York Times
The contractor was hired to repair leaking joints between the pool’s concrete slabs, waterproof the pool’s bottom, and paint it a shade called “American flag blue.”
The pool has also been troubled for decades by leaks and algae blooms that turn its water green.
On Monday, a nonprofit dedicated to landscape architecture filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Washington seeking to halt the paint job. The Cultural Landscape Foundation said that the Trump administration had ignored a law requiring advance scrutiny of projects that alter historic landmarks.
The foundation, based in Washington, said in its lawsuit that “every day that the resurfacing continues, the historic character of the Reflecting Pool is being further and fundamentally altered.”
David A. Fahrenthold is a Times investigative reporter writing about nonprofit organizations. He has been a reporter for two decades.
The Trump administration is demolishing Social Security’s customer service, making it harder and harder for Americans to get their earned benefits. Now, Ted Cruz reveals the full scheme: They are wrecking Social Security so they can rob it.
Trump’s ONLY GOALS AS PRESIDENT –
1) Make a lot of money for himself, his family and his rich supporters – and use the presidency to get business deals for him and his sons around the world
2) Use the DOJ to go after literally anyone he feels slighted him, criticized him or “injured” him, while also covering up and erasing his past misdeeds (Epstein) and erasing the history of January 6
3) Slap his name and likeness on everything he can – cash, coins, buildings, airports, highways, and get royalties for the use of his name
4) Strengthen his ties to Vladimir Putin and other dictators and oligarchs to get as much power as much as he can
5) Going down as one of the great men of history, like Alexander the Great or Napoleon
Trump DOESN’T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT –
1) The basic job of a president
2) The economic well being of Americans
3) The functions of government to serve the people
4) America’s relationship with allies or reputation around the world
5) The United States if it doesn’t relate to him or his needs
Trump is talking about future inaugurations being held in his ballroom
Shell first-quarter profits up 115% from $3.2bn to $6.9bn.Will rise even more due to Trump's illegal wars.Bumper payouts for execs and shareholders; higher inflation, poverty, misery for us.120,000 Britons a year die in fuel poverty,Must levy windfall taxes.
Tennessee Republicans on Wednesday unveiled a proposed congressional map that slices into the state’s majority-Black district and will likely secure them an all-GOP federal delegation.Tennessee unveils new congressional map poised to erase Dem seatwww.politico.com/news/2026/05…
⚡️UPDATE – NAACP files emergency petition to Block the racist @GovBillLee Republican 9-0 map that strips representation from majority-Black Memphis: “In violation of clear and unambiguous Tennessee statutory law and the mandates of the TN Constitution” http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/p…
A red-state governor is facing a recall effort in his own state that was launched by voters upset with him canceling elections amid a redistricting effort.
BREAKING:ABC has accused Trump's FCC of violating its free speech rights — arguing that regulators had a "chilling effect" on free speech by trying to punish political content they disagreed with.
Exclusive: A frustrated President Trump over the weekend upbraided FDA Commissioner Marty Makary for not moving quickly enough to approve flavored vapes and nicotine products.
A white male New York Times employee filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging that the paper discriminated against him by not giving him a promotion because he is a white male.
EXCLUSIVE: Since SCOTUS ruled in Callais v. Louisiana, we’ve been answering questions about what it means for elections.But one still stands: who is Callais, one of the plaintiffs who targeted the state’s second majority-Black district?He’s an election denier who attended the Jan. 6 protest.
BREAKING: In a PANIC, Kash Patel ordered polygraphs for at least two dozen current and former members of his security detail looking for leaks. Those would be the folks that would see him drinking or wake him the next morning. http://www.ms.now/news/kash-pa…
A week before the US went to war with Iran, Pete Hegseth, the war secretary, invited the head of his church to lead prayers at the Pentagon. From his pulpit in Idaho, Doug Wilson, a 72-year-old ultraconservative pastor, preaches that homosexuality is a sin, women who dress immodestly are “sluts”, and Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution is the “silliest thing in the world”.
Despite Hegseth’s evangelising, Wilson says the Trump administration is far from morally pure. He says the president is “not someone I would call a godly Christian man”, and disagrees with Trump’s appointment of a gay man, Scott Bessent, as his Treasury secretary because homosexuality is not just a sin, it is “a bad one”.
Of all his gripes, however, Wilson is most indignant about the 1960s sexual revolution, a moral catastrophe that he condemns frequently in his blog posts, sermons and books. He thinks women should dress modestly. But what is modest dress? “Not what they’re doing now,” he says. “I could pick on yoga pants.” He continues: “Men know what they think of hookers, which is not very much. When you’re just giving it away to every slob on the bus who wants to look, you’re degrading the currency.”
Does that mean Wilson and his followers sympathise with the dress codes enforced by Shia clerics in Iran? “No, because wrapping them up in a bedsheet is another way of degrading them. It is possible to be modest and attractive — attractive without attracting. Bundling them up the way really conservative Muslims do is a different kind of degradation. Like you’re not a person. But for a woman to dress like a slut is a different kind of degradation. Both kinds of degradation play off of each other.”
Wilson appeared here last month when he called for criminalizing homosexuality and outlawing all LGBTQ events.
In March, Wilson declared that under his Christian nationalist theocracy, all non-Protestant public events – such a Catholic parades that venerate the Virgin Mary – would be banned.
Also in March, a separate pastor at Hegseth’s church prayed for God to kill Senate candidate James Talarico.
Pete Hegseth’s pastor: ‘Women who dress immodestly are sluts’
A Florida man is facing life felony charges after allegedly brutally assaulting a defenseless 5-year-old boy in an act of hate-fueled child abuse. “This was a brutal and hateful attack on a defenseless child. There is absolutely no excuse for it. We will make sure justice is served and these children get the safety and support they deserve,” Sheriff Grady Judd said.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said that on Sunday, May 3, 33-year-old Andre Brown Jr. from Davenport was arrested for child abuse. According to officials, this charge has been categorized as a life felony because it is considered a hate crime.
During interviews with the children in Browns care, it was revealed that Brown had been physically abusive toward a 5-year-old boy, specifically targeting him because he was “mad at him for being gay.” Brown reportedly told deputies that he abused the child because of his sexual orientation, claiming he would “beat the gay out of him if possible.”
The boy told authorities he was afraid of Brown and did not want to talk much about what happened. He had the worst injuries of the three: marks and bruising on his legs, arms, back, and stomach; a fracture to his right wrist; and a contusion to his forehead. He had marks all over his body consistent with being hit by a belt, the sheriff’s office said.
When deputies attempted to remove Brown from the scene, he pulled away, became loud and began yelling slurs, the sheriff’s office said. He continued yelling and pulling away once placed in handcuffs, according to the release, and also was charged with resisting arrest.
Brown has a lengthy criminal history, including domestic battery strangulation, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, kidnapping with intent to commit a felony, home invasion robbery with a firearm and battery on a law enforcement officer, the release said.
*** Scottie’s personal note here. From the youngest age I was called queer and this was in the 1960s. The first memory of being called that which I had no clue as to what it meant was when I was being held down and punched by my five-year-older hellspawn sibling who was telling me I was “queer”. I was only 3 or 4 at the time and was being trafficked to the man across the street along with her siblings boy friends / and taken to parties where I was drugged so I wouldn’t remember. Also at the same time along with her and her sister on cold nights when I begged for a warm place to sleep in their bed rather than the cold blanketless mat in the hallway that was my bed. I would have to “make them happy” for the privilege of a warm place to sleep in the Vermont winters. So when she called me that I asked what that was. She replied it was letting boys put their dicks in me and me sucking their dicks. I then said, but that is what I am told to do and I was very confused. This niceness of being punched and insulted lasted only a short while as the most understanding of my abusive hellspawn siblings who then became like the rest. She then became like the rest. She gloried over tiny me and the things I was made to do. She took my toys and gifts as the rest did. She later said I did not understand what it was like to live with her siblings who were also abusing me and farming me out. I asked her if she understood how hard it was for me to live among them during that time. She had no answer, because like in my childhood it was all about her. Hugs***
State rep reacts to DOJ investigation into Illinois schools over gender ideology in classrooms
🚨 The fate of abortion pills is back at the Supreme Court. The pharma company Danco, which makes mifepristone, filed an emergency appeal just now asking SCOTUS to hit pause on Friday's 5th Circuit ruling that cut off telehealth nationwide. http://www.politico.com/news/2026/05…
“Try to reduce your stress level, and if you somehow succeed please let me know how in God’s name you did it.”
“It’s like the sun comes out and you forget all about the impending doom!”
“After this, things are going to calm down for a little while, right?”
“Frankly, he’s so loud I think he must be compensating for something.”
Pew Research finds a majority of Americans believe ethics and honesty in the federal government have declined since the start of Trump's second term.Brought to you by resist47.news — tracking threats to democracy.#resist47 #GovernmentEthics#TrumpAdministration#PewResearch#PoliticalHonesty
We in the United States are living through what is arguably the biggest financial scam in America’s history. Led by the Reality TV New York City mobster thug occupying the White House.
Do you think Donald J. Trump gives a flyin’ fuck about “American heroes” or the like?
If Donald J. Trump and his sycophant billionaire buddies could make money off it, he’d create a “Garden of Jeffrey Epstein’s Underage Girls.”
“I love this time of the year—you know, when you make sense of all our spending.”
Hassett: "53 million people have benefited from no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on social security."Brennan: "Just to clarify, the tax law that the president signed doesn't eliminate taxes on social security. It gives an enhanced deduction through 2028."
Also, “no tax on tips” and “no tax on overtime” have significant eligibility requirements so far fewer than 53 million people have benefitted from these three initiatives…but no one in the smoke-blowing Trump administration will admit to that.
“They’re looking for ten thousand passengers who are willing to give up their seats.”
“We could drive to spring break and spend hundreds on gas, or fly and never actually get there.”
“Will you be using my story as a foil to reveal one of the doctor’s flaws, or is this a regular E.R.?”
“Looks like they’re rolling out the new food pyramid.”
“I understand there’s a problem you need made a million times worse?”
U.S. Fast-Tracks Arms Deals Valued at $8.6 Billion to Mideast PartnersThe State Department announced the sales on Friday night. The sales would entail the transfer of rockets to Israel, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and air-defense equipment to Qatar and Kuwait.tinyurl.com/dUnGq4
On the last post I made about this I was going to write a long intro. However when I read the comments every point I would have made is made in the comments in far fewer words than I would have done. So if you wish to see opinions on what the government is doing to follow Russia and wipe the LGBTQ+ from society in the name of protecting children / straight people / cis people / and religious privilege to discriminate then please read the comments. Hugs
I apologize that this is such a short post for one of these. I want everyone to know I really did try as hard as I could. I am exhausted and very tired to the point that Ron has twice looked into my office and caught me sleeping. I am also in a lot of pain. Because of that right butt / leg pain Ron is again asking me to figure out how we can afford the back / spine surgery. I am holding off hopeing that my pain doctors can do more epidurals/spine shots that will help me with that pain. I do not want spine surgery f I can avoid it. On the other side Ron held me today when he came back from his sister’s place and was very affectionate. I asked if he wanted to have “relations” tonight and his answer was a strong yes if you want to my love. So I need to finish this and go to bed to await my wonderful loving husband. Hugs
Ok maybe not the right place but with all the attacks by the right Christian nationalists I think it is a great place to put this. Far too many men / people are now in the closet and denying their true selves because of the hate being pushed against them. Us older LGBTQ+ people faced this hate before, this hate constantly driven by religious bigotry and we beat it / over came it. The haters are having a last gasp resurgence, but that will wane and fade as even the non radical right doesn’t support discrimination against their LGBTQ+ children / grandchildren / friends / exstended family. Hugs
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs bill prohibiting DEI in local governments reut.rs/4vQAnoE
LOCAL: Palm Beach County reverses course, approving $302K for Compass LGBTQ Center repairs after backlash over an anti-DEI-related denial.tinyurl.com/ywnjvs26
“Frankly, he’s so loud I think he must be compensating for something.”
The Senate today inched closer to confirming some pretty alarming U.S. attorney nominees.We're talking people who have never tried criminal cases, who fueled lies about the 2020 election being stolen from Trump + even participated in the Jan. 6, 2021 protests. http://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-…
Strange how Kash Patel and Todd Blanche can look at seashells on a beach and decided to dig further but see emails with grown men discussing raping kids and decided that there's nothing there.
HEGSETH: On Iran, we are in a ceasefire right now, which I understand means the 60 day clock pauses or stopsKAINE: I do not believe the statute would support that
Today, Pete Hegseth told the Senate Armed Services Committee that “the 60-day clock pauses or stops in a ceasefire” and therefore the Iran War is not subject to Congressional authorization. Here’s why he’s flat wrong:
The War Powers Resolution says the President has 60 calendar days to get approval from Congress or end the fighting.The U.S. Navy is blockading Iranian ports right now. You cannot claim the fighting is “paused” while American warships are stopping Iranian ships by force. Both things can't be true.
A naval blockade is an act of war. This is legally nonsense. If the war is over, then Iran won and US lost. By any strategic measure. Regime in place. They “own” the Straits. Uranium remains weapon-usable and in Iran.
In the decades since this law was written, no president of either party has ever tried this argument. Not Reagan, either Bush, Clinton, Obama, Biden, or even Trump in his first term. Hegseth made it up because the deadline is tomorrow and he’s looking for an easy way out.
Susan Collins crossed the aisle today and said the 60-day clock is “not a suggestion. It is a requirement.”Pete Hegseth does not get to rewrite the law because following it is inconvenient.The clock does not pause. Tomorrow is the deadline.www.wsj.com/politics/pol…
Enten: "These are the worst numbers I've ever seen for any president on inflation. Trump is 49 points underwater. Biden — inflation absolutely crushed his presidency — but at his worst he was only 43 points underwater. Trump is in a worse position on inflation than Jimmy Carter was!"
*** Personal note. Almost did not make the deadline on this one. I was running on fumes as I am finishing this. Then instead of eating supper I am going to bed. Thank you for reading / enjoying / or even if you wish commenting. On that note. Rather than getting to comments which I will do someday, I am focusing all my energy on doing these cartoons / memes / news posts. I hope to be able to do more soon. I love the comments and will some day when sitting in my desk chair is not so painful and there are not so many other things I need to get done, I will reply to them, even if they are far too old to matter to anyone. Hugs and loves. *** Scottie
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Sharing the picture of a happy trans women gives you the vitamins and nutrients you need to fight back against bigotry all day long.
Russia has labeled its leading LGBTQ+ rights group, the Russian LGBT Network, as “extremist,” effectively banning the organization and exposing supporters to possible criminal prosecution.
The Russian Supreme Court banned the nonexistent “International LGBT Movement” in 2023. Now the courts are going after more and more real organizations, including the Russian LGBT Network and at least five other LGBTQ+ initiatives. meduza.io/en/news/2026…
Amazing how his ear has healed with no trace of a bullet wound. Remember how his cult wore fake bandages to show support for their dear leader.
🚨BREAKING: The Florida House has passed a new, aggressively gerrymandered congressional map that could net 4 GOP seats ahead of midterms.Revealingly, the vote came just an hour after SCOTUS gutted the Voting Rights Act, rolling back 50 years of protections against racial gerrymandering.
This guest is an immigration attorney with expertise in ICE tactics and in ICE detention. She dispels the misunderstanding and the myths created by the tRump administartion. These detentions are civil detentions not criminal and entering the country with out inspection is a class B misdemeanor. Another thing she mentions is the ever-increasing costs for detention which is currently $200 a day per detainee and there are over 70 thousand detainees. She gives a lot of other useful to know information including the brutality in the detention centers. For example they are taking detainees out in the Everglades and forcing them to stand with hands shackled in the hot sun being eaten by misketoes and bugs. They are putting people in “hot boxes” and leaving them there in the hot Florida sun with no water or medical treatment when they are let out. She describes many more examples. Hugs
Katie Blankenship, an immigration attorney from Sanctuary of the South, a grassroots legal services organization that provides critical, affordable legal defense to immigrant families affected by detention, deportation, and abuse, joins Sam to discuss abuses at the Alligator Alcatraz ICE detention center in Florida. To find resources or ways to help those targeted by ICE in your area you can visit Freedom for immigrants, American Immigration Council or visit the ACLU to find your local affiliate.
Scottie's Playtime 