President Donald Trump publicly rebuked U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro on Monday after her office moved to drop vandalism charges against a man accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The decision came after prosecutors cited contractor error as the cause of damage to the pool’s lining, contradicting earlier claims of vandalism.
Pirro’s office filed a motion on Friday to dismiss charges against David Hearn, a 67-year-old former Olympian accused of ripping part of the pool’s sealant. The filing stated that newly obtained documents from the Interior Department indicated the damage resulted from a ‘flawed installation’ by the contractor, not intentional vandalism. Hearn, who was arrested in June, denied wrongdoing, and his attorneys called the case an injustice.
Trump, who has repeatedly described the damage as vandalism, criticized Pirro’s decision in remarks to reporters in the Oval Office. He stated, ‘I was disappointed with Jeanine Pirro. Really disappointed with Jeanine Pirro. She folded like an umbrella.’ He added, ‘Frankly, I think she choked.’ Trump also accused a judge of unfairly targeting Pirro, saying, ‘Instead of going after the people that did it, the judge went after her and went after her department.’
Pirro, a former Fox News host and longtime Trump ally, has not publicly responded to the president’s remarks. The White House declined to address whether Trump is reconsidering her role as U.S. attorney, referring inquiries back to the president’s comments.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum disputed Pirro’s account, asserting in a post on X that his department had provided the U.S. Attorney’s office with expert testimony and evidence of vandalism before the indictment. Burgum wrote, ‘The evidence is clear, vandals have repeatedly caused damage to the Reflecting Pool. Some of these acts were even caught on camera.’ He added that his department had shared all requested documentation with prosecutors.
Hearn’s attorneys argued in a statement that the case ‘should never have been brought’ and demanded an apology from the government. The Reflecting Pool underwent a controversial renovation ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary, with the project exceeding its budget after being awarded through a no-bid contract.
Background: The Reflecting Pool Controversy
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a landmark in Washington, D.C., has faced scrutiny since its renovation. The project, completed in 2026, was intended to enhance the memorial ahead of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations. However, the renovation became mired in delays and cost overruns, with critics questioning the no-bid contract awarded to the construction firm.
The pool’s new blue lining, installed to improve water circulation and durability, suffered damage shortly after completion. Initially, authorities attributed the damage to vandalism, leading to the arrest of Hearn. Surveillance footage appeared to show individuals near the pool, though no clear evidence linked Hearn to the act. The case against him was built on the assumption that he had torn the sealant with his hands.
Legal and Political Fallout
The dismissal of charges has raised questions about the handling of the case and the coordination between federal agencies. Pirro’s office stated that the contractor’s installation flaws were documented in materials provided by the Interior Department, which prosecutors said they had not received before pursuing the indictment.
Trump, who has publicly championed the renovation, has framed the damage as part of a broader pattern of vandalism targeting national landmarks. In a Truth Social post on Saturday, he wrote, ‘I disagree 100% with Jeanine Pirro… To me, it was a pure case of VANDALISM.’ He acknowledged contractor issues but reiterated that vandalism was the primary cause.
Hearn’s Defense and Public Response
Hearn, who was cycling near the memorial when he was arrested, maintained his innocence. His legal team argued that the government’s case was built on flawed assumptions and that the contractor’s role had been overlooked. The motion to dismiss charges cited the Interior Department’s documentation of installation errors as the definitive cause of the damage.
The case has drawn attention to the accountability of both contractors and federal agencies in maintaining national landmarks. Critics of the renovation project have pointed to the no-bid contract as a potential source of mismanagement, while supporters argue that the pool’s new design was necessary for long-term preservation.
What’s Next
The dismissal of charges against Hearn does not preclude further legal action if new evidence emerges. The Interior Department and the U.S. Attorney’s office have not indicated whether additional investigations are planned. Pirro’s future in her role remains uncertain, with Trump’s public criticism fueling speculation about her tenure. The White House has not provided clarity on whether she will remain in her position.