Trump Calls for Reopening Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Vandalism Case, Citing New Details

Former President Donald Trump on Friday publicly called upon U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro to re-evaluate the recently dismissed charges related to alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump asserted that recent observations revealed "pure VANDALISM" at the Reflecting Pool, supporting his claim by sharing photographs from a freelance photographer. He further alleged that individuals were seen "on their knees with their hands in the water" precisely where "slashes" were observed. He also mentioned the presence of witnesses to the "VANDALISM" and claimed the flexible material had been severed with a knife.

Allegations of Vandalism and Political Connections

The former president strongly urged Pirro to reconsider what he termed her "hastily made decision." He highlighted that the individual involved was a significant figure in ActBlue, an organization he described as a "disgraceful fundraising SCAM." Trump also pointed to the individual's legal representation by Norm Eisen, whom he characterized as a "TRUMP DERANGED SLEAZEBAG, Political Hack Lawyer." Additionally, he criticized CREW, describing it as a group that utilizes "charity for political purposes," which he suggested was, to his knowledge, "ILLEGAL!"

Trump has consistently voiced strong disapproval of Pirro's choice last Friday to drop the felony vandalism case against former Olympian David Hearn.

Earlier in the week, Trump had claimed Pirro "choked" under pressure from a judge concerning the case, stating she "folded like an ​umbrella." The day following the case's dismissal, Trump conveyed on Truth Social, "I disagree 100% with Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, on the Reflecting Pool. I don’t know what she was thinking?"

The Dropped Case and Department of Interior's Role

Hearn was indicted on July 2 on a single count of felony destruction of property. U.S. Park Police had alleged that on June 19, Hearn grabbed and tugged at a loose section of the pool’s coating, continuing even after a National Park Service employee instructed him to stop. Initially, officials estimated the damage to be in excess of $1,000.

However, Pirro’s office later stated that the Department of the Interior (DOI) had initially provided prosecutors with what they called "barebones" reports and failed to disclose records documenting extensive, pre-existing issues with the coating’s installation.

"Had DOI been forthcoming with the information clearly in its possession, the government would not have sought a grand jury indictment," prosecutors wrote.

The prosecutors further elaborated that it was only after the indictment was returned that the DOI furnished additional documents to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (USAO-DC). These documents indicated that the damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in June 2026 was a consequence of flawed installation by the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings (AIC), and a rushed effort to complete the project before events associated with the America 250 celebration in the weeks surrounding Independence Day 2026.

The Department of Justice explained that this new evidence significantly complicated the ability to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Hearn was responsible for the damage. Consequently, prosecutors requested the court to dismiss the indictment without prejudice, a legal action that preserves the option of refiling the charge at a later date.

In response to the dismissal, Hearn’s attorneys, Norm Eisen, Mary Dohrmann, and Steve Levin, issued a statement last Friday.

"The Trump administration’s case against Davey Hearn should never have been brought. Its dismissal today does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong. The government’s approach was ready, fire, aim. The administration owes Mr. Hearn an apology."