Trump criticizes U.S. Attorney Pirro over dropped Reflecting Pool vandalism charges

President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated his criticism of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, saying she “choked” and “folded like an umbrella” after she ordered the dismissal of charges against former Olympian David Hearn, who is accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Trump made the remarks at an Oval Office event and declined to comment on whether he would remove Pirro from her post.

The decision to drop the case, which also cleared three other defendants of misdemeanor vandalism charges, was described by the administration as a setback for the Justice Department. Hearn maintains he only touched a peeled coating on the pool’s surface during a bike ride on June 19 and released it after a park worker instructed him to do so.

Republican Senator John Kennedy warned that officials should not make unsubstantiated allegations before a federal judge and suggested Hearn might seek compensation under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum was also seen at the White House that evening, supporting Trump’s view that vandalism, not construction flaws, caused the damage.

Trump previously highlighted the Reflecting Pool renovation as a showcase of his administration’s efforts to improve Washington, noting a $14.7 million no-bid contract awarded to Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings. He later said he was not fully satisfied with the contractor’s work and emphasized the need to have the pool ready for Independence Day celebrations. The pool remains drained for ongoing repairs, with the White House estimating it could reopen within one to two weeks.