President Donald Trump has openly disagreed with top local prosecutor Jeanine Pirro regarding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool incident. Trump labeled the damage as ‘a pure case of VANDALISM,’ despite federal authorities attributing the issues to contractor errors. Trump expressed his disagreement on Truth Social, questioning Pirro’s decision-making as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
The disagreement arose after Pirro’s office moved to dismiss a felony property destruction charge against former U.S. Olympian David Hearn. Accused of damaging the landmark by pulling up its protective lining, Hearn’s charge hinged on contractor failures rather than intentional vandalism according to a report by the Department of the Interior.
“To me, it was a pure case of VANDALISM,” Trump wrote, noting additional vandalism discovered at the site.
Previously, U.S. Park Police found “86 47” etched into the grass near the Reflecting Pool, a slogan perceived by some Trump supporters as incitement against the former president.
Pirro’s office decided to drop charges against Hearn after identifying significant flaws in the renovation project, concluding that these made it impossible to firmly establish vandalism.
Trump acknowledged possible contractor issues but insisted vandalism remained the primary cause of the damage.
David Hearn was initially indicted on July 2, based on allegations and early estimates of damages over $1,000. However, the Interior Department’s withheld information indicated contractor errors.
The filings noted that Atlantic Industrial Coatings, responsible for the renovation, was awarded a $14 million no-bid contract. The project faced weather-related delays and other challenges leading up to Independence Day celebrations.
Documents revealed the coating began peeling shortly after installation. The government’s pursuit of charges without full disclosure of the issues drew criticism from Hearn’s legal team.
“The Trump administration’s case against Davey Hearn should never have been brought,” Hearn’s attorneys stated, asserting misuse of government authority.
As Fox News continues to seek comments from Pirro’s office, the case against Hearn remains dismissed without prejudice, leaving open the possibility of future charges.