White House Pressures Justice Department to Reopen Dismissed Case Against Former Olympian Amid Political Interference
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The Biden administration has asked the Justice Department to reconsider charges against David Hearn, a former Olympian, after his vandalism case was dismissed due to lack of evidence. Critics warn this move reflects ongoing political meddling in the justice system.
In a troubling display of executive overreach, the White House has pressured officials at the Justice Department’s Washington headquarters to revisit potential charges against David Hearn, a former Olympian accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. Hearn’s case, which was thrown out on July 31 by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro due to insufficient evidence, is now being dragged back into the spotlight, raising concerns about political interference in the supposedly impartial justice process.
Pirro’s thorough 20-page filing made clear that the damage was the result of a contractor’s botched installation, not Hearn’s actions. Hearn has consistently maintained his innocence, stating he merely touched a loose piece of lining while in the water. The White House’s request to revisit the case—first exposed by the Wall Street Journal—has been met with skepticism by those who see it as an attempt to appease right-wing calls for harsher punishment, rather than a pursuit of justice.
A Justice Department spokesperson insisted the agency “follows the evidence when determining if crimes have been committed,” but notably refused to clarify whether new charges are truly being considered. Hearn’s legal team, including Norm Eisen, Mary Dohrmann, and Steve Levin, condemned the White House’s move as “another bizarre turn,” highlighting the unprecedented nature of reviving a case already dismissed for lack of evidence.
The White House, dodging direct accountability, referred all inquiries to the Justice Department and pointed to inflammatory social media posts by President Donald Trump, who has been agitating for the case to be reopened. This episode underscores the ongoing threat of political influence undermining the independence of the American legal system.