Trump Criticizes Pirro Over Lincoln Memorial Vandalism Charges

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump publicly criticized U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro on Monday for her decision to drop charges against a former Olympian accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. During an unrelated Oval Office event, Trump expressed disappointment with Pirro’s assessment that damage to the Reflecting Pool was due to poor construction rather than vandalism.

Despite the pressure, Trump did not address whether he planned to remove Pirro from her position. Pirro, a former Fox News host whom Trump selected as a federal prosecutor, faced sharp rebuke from the president, who maintained that the vandalism had indeed occurred.

“Frankly, I think she choked because the judge was really vicious. Instead of going after the people that did it, the judge went after her and went after her department,” Trump told reporters after signing an executive order for military spouses. He expressed confusion about what occurred, saying, “I don’t know what the hell happened.”

Trump shared his disappointment again Monday, describing Pirro as someone who “folded like an umbrella.” The decision to drop charges against David Hearn marked a setback for the Justice Department and showcased a rare moment of defiance from an appointee during Trump’s second term.

After posting on social media, expressing his disagreement with Pirro over the weekend, Trump continued to insist that vandalism was the main issue plaguing the troubled project.

Pirro was seen at the White House on Monday evening, though she hasn’t commented publicly since Trump’s initial criticism. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who supports the notion of vandalism being the cause, was also spotted.

Hearn stated that during a bike ride on June 19, he reached in to inspect the pool’s newly peeled coating and briefly touched a chunk attached to the pool’s side. He said he complied with a park worker’s instruction to let go.

Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana commented, warning against making unsubstantiated allegations before a federal judge. He hinted that Hearn might pursue compensation under the Federal Tort Claims Act, saying, “I think he’s going to sue. I mean, I would.”

Online court records indicate that charges against three others also charged with misdemeanors related to the Reflecting Pool incident have been dropped. They had pleaded not guilty last month and were accused of causing property damage under $1,000.

Trump distanced himself from the Reflecting Pool project, previously spotlighted as part of his efforts to revitalize the nation’s capital. He had previously mentioned consulting with firms known for pool work on his properties, selecting one for the $14.7 million contract without competitive bidding.

Though initially confident in the contractor, Trump remarked, “I didn’t know the contractor” and for the first time expressed dissatisfaction with the rush to complete the project in time for Independence Day.

The Reflecting Pool was drained weeks ago for new repairs. No timeline or costs for these repairs have been disclosed. The administration has not sought new bids, and Trump said the pool would be “fixed” within two weeks without offering further details.