President Donald Trump publicly criticized U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro on Monday after her office moved to drop felony destruction of property charges against former Olympian David Hearn in connection with damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The decision followed an admission that the damage resulted from contractor error, not vandalism, according to a court filing submitted Friday.
Pirro’s office stated in a 20-page filing that newly obtained documents from the Department of Interior indicated the damage to the pool’s blue lining was caused by a botched installation rather than intentional acts. Hearn, who was arrested in June, had been accused of ripping sealant from the pool during a bike ride. His attorneys called the case an injustice, stating it "should never have been brought."
Trump’s Response and Political Tensions
Trump, who had previously claimed the damage was the result of vandalism caught on surveillance footage, described Pirro’s decision as a mistake. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he said, "I was disappointed with Jeanine Pirro. Really disappointed with Jeanine Pirro. She folded like an umbrella." He added, "Frankly, I think she choked."
The president did not directly answer whether he would remove Pirro from her position as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, though he has privately mused about doing so, according to sources cited by multiple outlets. The White House declined to comment on Pirro’s future when asked by reporters.
Legal and Administrative Fallout
Pirro’s reversal came after her office acknowledged that the Interior Department had provided misleading information during the investigation. In a statement, she attributed the decision to prosecute Hearn to the erroneous guidance from federal officials. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum disputed this claim on social media, asserting that his department had provided evidence of vandalism, including expert testimony and surveillance footage.
Hearn’s legal team welcomed the dismissal, stating the government "owes Mr. Hearn an apology" for pursuing the case. The Reflecting Pool, renovated at a cost of $14.7 million, had faced early issues with algae blooms and peeling liner, which Pirro’s office now attributes to installation flaws.
Broader Implications
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and his allies over accountability for the Reflecting Pool renovation, a project he had promoted ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The case also raises questions about the independence of federal prosecutors under Trump’s administration, particularly when their findings conflict with the president’s public statements.
Pirro, a former Fox News host and longtime Trump ally, met with the president at the White House on Monday, though neither side disclosed the substance of their discussion. Prediction markets indicate growing speculation about her tenure, with odds of her departure before September 1 rising to 97% as of Monday.
Timeline of Key Events
- June 19: Hearn is arrested after allegedly damaging the Reflecting Pool during a bike ride.
- Early July: Pirro’s office files felony charges against Hearn.
- July 19: Pirro’s office submits a court filing dismissing the case, citing contractor error.
- July 21: Trump publicly rebukes Pirro, calling her decision a mistake.
- July 22: Pirro meets with Trump at the White House amid questions about her future.