Donald Trump is continuing to press his case over the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, again arguing that the landmark was deliberately vandalized even after the U.S. Attorney’s Office determined the damage was more likely tied to a flawed renovation effort.
Trump had initially celebrated the $16 million restoration of the algae-plagued Reflecting Pool, presenting the project as a major improvement. But that praise quickly gave way to criticism when the pool began showing signs of deterioration — damage he later blamed on vandals.
Former Olympic athlete David Hearn was arrested in June in connection with alleged vandalism at the pool. But earlier this week, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro dropped the charges after a federal review concluded the problems were probably caused by the renovation work rather than a criminal act.
Trump has rejected that explanation, posting images on Truth Social taken by photographer Andrew Leyden that he said appeared to show graffiti and long cuts along the side of the Reflecting Pool.
“The material was cut right where the video tape showed, for 300 feet or more. People were on their knees with their hands in the water at the exact location of the ‘slashes,’” Trump wrote, insisting the evidence supported his claim.
He added, “Additionally, there were witnesses to the VANDALISM, and the flexible areas of the material were cut with a knife. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro should re-visit her hastily made decision.”
Pirro has long been viewed as one of Trump’s staunch allies, and since he named her U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, she has generally aligned closely with the president.
But the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool dispute has created an unusually public split between them, with Trump accusing Pirro of having “choked” and “folded like an umbrella” by moving to dismiss the case against Hearn.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been a thorn in the president’s side, as accusations of vandalism and a botched renovation swirl
Donald Trump doubled down in a recent Truth Social post that the damage to the pool was a result of vandalism
Trump slammed US Attorney Jeanine Pirro for dismissing vandalism charges, calling the decision ‘hastily made’
When asked by reporters on Tuesday night if Pirro’s job was safe, he replied: ‘I haven’t made a determination. I told her I was not happy.’
‘I just think she was totally wrong. They did a beautiful job, there were a couple of little things but that was not a big deal and everybody saw the vandalism, all you have to do is look at the tape,’ he said.
‘Plus, we have a witness or two witnesses that saw the vandalism, so certainly there was vandalism. In my opinion, it was major vandalism.’
A day earlier, Trump echoed a similar sentiment, telling reporters in the Oval Office, ‘I was disappointed with Jeanine Pirro, really disappointed with Jeanine Pirro.’
‘Frankly, I think she choked,’ Trump said, adding: ‘I don’t know what the hell happened.’
Trump also slammed Hearn and his attorney, Norm Eisen, in his recent Truth Social post, saying that the two have liberal affiliations and a political vendetta against him.
The president claimed that Eisen was a ‘Trump deranged sleazebag’ and a ‘political hack lawyer,’ adding that he believed the attorney used charity for partisan goals.
‘I have been beating Eisen, a complete LUNATIC, in Court for 10 years, or more. He just keeps coming, but I always WIN!’ Trump concluded.
Trump shared photographs taken by Andrew Leyden, claiming they proved the sides of the Reflecting Pool showed vandalism
MORE STORY: What Happened To Dr John Hamilton? – Where Is He Now? Susan Hamilton Murder Obituary
Trump added that ‘the material was cut right where the video tape showed, for 300 feet or more. People were on their knees with their hands in the water at the exact location of the “slashes”‘
Join the discussion
Should political influence play any role in deciding whether vandalism charges are pursued or dropped?
Eisen previously served in former President Barack Obama’s administration and was an ambassador to the Czech Republic. He has been critical of Trump and is a cofounder of Democracy Defenders Action.
Eisen and Hearn have maintained that the charges against the former Olympian were politically motivated by the Trump administration.
‘A case gets brought because someone powerful wanted it brought, & it falls apart the moment a court looks at it. Davey Hearn walked away, but the machinery that came for him is still running,’ Eisen wrote on X.
Hearn told CNN that the case against him was ‘surreal and absurd,’ warning others that he believes anyone can be targeted by the federal government.
The former Olympian pleaded not guilty last month to one felony count of property destruction and had a trial scheduled to start September 28 before the case was dismissed. He was facing a maximum prison sentence of 10 years if convicted.
Trump also took aim at former Olympian David Hearn and his attorney, Norman Eisen, pictured above, claiming they had political motivations against him
Jeanine Pirro and Donald Trump have been longtime close allies, but her decision to dismiss charges against Hearn has seemingly caused a rift
A federal investigation later revealed that evidence uncovered ‘undermines the evidentiary basis for the indictment,’ the dismissal of Hearn’s indictment read.
The filing revealed that new documents indicated that the damage to the pool ‘was the result of a botched installation and not vandalism as initially represented’ by the Interior Department.
‘Given all of this newly discovered information, it is difficult to attribute the widespread damage to the Reflecting Pool to vandalism, let alone to establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt,’ the filing stated.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Eisen and Pirro’s office for comment.
