President Donald Trump voiced strong criticism on Monday regarding U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's decision to drop charges against David Hearn, a former Olympian accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. During an unrelated event in the Oval Office, Trump expressed his disappointment in Pirro, a long-time ally and appointee, stating that she "choked" under pressure from a tough judge.
In his comments, Trump emphasized his belief that the damage to the Reflecting Pool was a result of vandalism rather than faulty construction, which contradicted Pirro’s assessment. "Frankly, I think she choked because the judge was really vicious," Trump remarked, asserting that the judge unfairly targeted her and her department. This incident marks a rare instance where a political appointee publicly diverged from Trump’s expectations during his second term.
Following the president’s initial comments on social media over the weekend, where he stated, "I disagree 100% with Jeanine Pirro," Trump continued to criticize her for her handling of the situation. "She folded like an umbrella," he reiterated, clearly indicating his frustration with her decision to dismiss the charges against Hearn.
Jeanine Pirro, who has been notably silent since Trump’s remarks, was seen entering the White House later that same day. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who has also spoken in defense of Trump’s perspective, was spotted alongside her. The decision to drop charges against Hearn and three others connected to the same incident was described as an embarrassing setback for the Justice Department, further aggravating Trump’s response.
David Hearn, the individual at the center of the controversy, claimed that he had merely touched part of the Reflecting Pool's coating during a bike ride on June 19 and complied with a park worker's request to let go of it. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy weighed in on the matter, stating that legal allegations made before a federal judge must be adequately backed, emphasizing the seriousness with which such claims are handled.
While charges have also been dropped against three others involved in the Reflecting Pool incident—Justin Carreno, Cameron Thiers, and Sophie Dennison-Gibby—Trump used the opportunity to distance himself from the ongoing issues with the Reflecting Pool project. Trump had previously touted the project as a key part of his efforts to beautify the capital city.
In light of the negative developments, Trump insisted on distancing himself from the contractors involved in the Reflecting Pool repairs. He had previously highlighted that he consulted with firms known for their work on swimming pools, notably selecting Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings for the Reflecting Pool project, which received a $14.7 million no-bid contract. However, Trump implied dissatisfaction with the work performed, stating, "I didn’t know the contractor" and admitting that he was not entirely pleased with the progress leading up to the Independence Day celebrations.
The Reflecting Pool was drained weeks earlier to facilitate new repairs, yet the White House has not disclosed when these repairs are expected to be completed or their anticipated cost. Trump stated on Monday that the Reflecting Pool would be "fixed" and reopened within the next week to two weeks without elaborating on further details.
This ongoing situation highlights the diverse challenges faced by Trump's administration, particularly in navigating relationships with key personnel and the implications of administrative decisions on public works projects.
