Trump Considers Firing D.C. U.S. Attorney After Justice Department Undermines Vandalism Case
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President Donald Trump is reportedly considering removing U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro after a controversial Justice Department filing blamed a rushed renovation—not vandalism—for damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, contradicting the president’s strong stance on law and order.
President Donald Trump is weighing the removal of Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, after the Justice Department undermined his efforts to hold vandals accountable for the desecration of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Two sources familiar with the president’s thinking told CNN that Trump is 'furious' with Pirro for submitting a filing that blames a flawed renovation, rather than criminal activity, for the damage.
One source said Trump was deeply disappointed with Pirro and that her removal is 'highly likely.' A senior administration official described Trump as 'blindsided' by the filing, noting that the president was not informed Pirro would take this action, which many see as a betrayal of his commitment to law and order.
The Justice Department’s Friday court filing shockingly admitted that the $14 million renovation was 'hasty and botched,' and moved to drop the criminal case against former Olympian David Hearn, who had been charged with vandalizing the pool. Hearn, who has pleaded not guilty, will have his lawyers respond to the request, but many Americans are left questioning whether justice is truly being served.
Trump publicly criticized Pirro on his social-media platform, stating he disagreed '100%' with her assessment and reaffirming his belief that the incident was a clear case of vandalism. Pirro’s filing claimed the Department of the Interior had not provided complete information, which she said led to the government seeking a grand-jury indictment.
Despite this internal dispute, sources say Trump remains steadfast in his conviction that vandals were responsible for the damage, and he continues to support Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who has also pointed to vandalism as the cause.
Legal experts note that Hearn’s attorneys could exploit the situation to pursue disciplinary actions against prosecutors, request investigations, or seek further court rulings. Pirro’s office has only asked that the charge be dismissed without prejudice, meaning the case could be refiled if new evidence emerges.
CNN reached out to Pirro’s office and the Justice Department for comment. The White House referred reporters to the president’s earlier statements, standing firm on Trump’s commitment to protecting America’s monuments from those who would deface them.