U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche expressed his support for U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro after the decision to drop the vandalism case related to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. On July 31, federal prosecutors decided not to proceed against Olympic canoeist David Hearn. He faced accusations of damaging the pool. This decision followed the discovery of cracks, algae, and peeling sealant in the $14 million project. Prosecutors pointed to possible renovation errors rather than intentional vandalism.
Blanche stated his and President Donald Trump’s support for Pirro on NBC’s Meet the Press. He acknowledged frustrations surrounding the case but refrained from faulting the president. There remains a possibility, according to Blanche, that vandalism could still be involved.
“I absolutely support U.S. Attorney Pirro, as does President Trump,” Blanche remarked on NBC.
He differentiated between the evidence needs of the case and political opinions, highlighting that one witness claimed to have seen Hearn vandalizing the pool. Blanche noted that witness testimony alone is insufficient in proving the allegations.
Hearn consistently declared his innocence concerning the accusations.
Despite ongoing challenges with evidence, Blanche commended Pirro’s efforts in prosecuting vandalism of memorials and monuments. Recently, her office pursued a different case involving a veterans memorial, linked to Melissa L. Farris, where “clean hands, diary money” was painted, and bubble soap was released into the fountain.
Blanche defended Pirro’s performance and insisted that it would be unfair to judge her based on a single, evidence-challenged case.
“U.S. Attorney Pirro is doing a phenomenal job enforcing that, going after anybody who’s doing it,” Blanche emphasized.
Additionally, the White House suggested pursuing a new misdemeanor prosecution against Hearn. Blanche noted that he would consider the president’s view in such matters.
There was no immediate comment from the White House when contacted by Fox News Digital.
By Bonny Chu, Breaking and Trending News Writer for Fox News Digital