Trump disputes U.S. attorney's finding that Reflecting Pool damage was due to construction flaws
The U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia said damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool resulted from poor workmanship, contradicting President Trump's claim of vandalism and prompting a public rebuke.
The U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia announced that recent damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was caused by substandard construction rather than vandalism, directly contradicting President Donald Trump’s assertions. In court filings, the attorney cited shoddy workmanship and a rushed schedule tied to the America 250 celebration as the primary factors.
Trump told reporters he was "not happy" with the attorney’s decision and claimed a video showed vandalism, though the footage does not clearly depict property destruction. He said, "Well I just think she was totally wrong, and everybody saw the vandalism."
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche declined to comment on internal Justice Department discussions but acknowledged Trump’s frustration over damage to national monuments while praising the U.S. attorney’s overall performance. Blanche said, "When you look at the D.C. U.S. Attorney's body of work … they are doing a phenomenal job. Now does that mean that every case goes exactly the way that President Trump wants or I want or U.S. Attorney Pirro wants? Of course not, it doesn't."
Legal analysts noted that the case against Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was accused of touching sealant in the pool, lacked factual support and appeared politically motivated. Defense counsel argued the indictment should be dismissed and warned against future attempts to revive it.
The disagreement highlights ongoing tensions within the administration as Trump continues to promote unverified claims about the economy and foreign policy ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Some Republican lawmakers have suggested the president receives poor advice from staff, while scholars said the episode reflects the challenges Trump faces in shaping the public narrative.
The Justice Department moved to dismiss the criminal case, reinforcing the conclusion that the pool’s damage stemmed from contractor errors rather than intentional vandalism.