Justice Department dismisses remaining reflecting-pool vandalism charges amid Trump criticism
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Federal prosecutors have dropped the last criminal cases related to damage at the White House reflecting pool, a move that President Trump has publicly denounced.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Friday that it is dismissing the remaining criminal charges tied to damage at the White House reflecting pool. The decision follows a similar dismissal earlier this week of charges against David Hearn, a former Olympic diver who had been accused of violently ripping sections of the pool’s newly installed flooring. Prosecutors said evidence from the Department of the Interior indicated the damage resulted from a rushed and flawed installation rather than intentional vandalism.
President Donald Trump responded on his social-media platform, stating he disagrees with the decision and maintains that the damage was primarily caused by vandals. He added that, while acknowledging possible contractor difficulties, the majority of the harm was not due to installation errors. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum supported the president’s view, noting that his agency supplied expert testimony and eyewitness accounts detailing the damage.
During a press briefing at the White House, Trump criticized former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, who oversees the office that filed the motion to drop the case, describing her actions as a disappointment. The president has not commented on the dismissal of the other pending cases.