Trump blasts decision to drop charges against Olympian accused of vandalizing Reflecting Pool as he insists DoJ report on cause of damage is wrong

By NATASHA ANDERSON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 18:15, 1 August 2026 | Updated: 18:28, 1 August 2026 President Donald Trump has blasted the US Attorney for DC for dismissing the charges against a US Olympian accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. 'I disagree 100% with Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, on the Reflecting Pool. I don't know what she was thinking?' he posted on his Truth Social platform Saturday morning. 'To me, it was a pure case of VANDALISM, that included the grass, which had a big 86 47 emblazoned in giant letters on it, and other elements of the surrounding area.' He added: 'There may have been some contractor difficulty, but the major damage was caused by VANDALS!' Pirro, in a court filing released Friday, moved to dismiss the charges against Olympic canoeist David Hearn, saying new revelations 'undermine the evidentiary basis for the indictment.' Hearn, 67, had been charged with felony vandalism in federal court, which carried a potential sentence of 10 years in jail.  But investigations into Hearn showed the damage was the result of a 'flawed installation by the contractor' and 'the rush to complete the project' in time for Trump's America 250 celebration, the filing ruled. President Donald Trump has blasted the US Attorney for DC for dismissing the charges against a US Olympian accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday to criticize the DOJ's decision Pirro said that new documents indicate that the damage to the landmark '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 states. Before the country's 250th independence celebrations, Trump launched a multimillion dollar renovation project for the Reflecting Pool, which was plagued by problems, including damage to its new coating.  Trump, without providing evidence, has alleged the damage was caused by vandals. The president had personally overseen the renovation of the Reflecting Pool, including the addition of an 'American flag blue' liner. It was one of several 'beautification' projects around the capital that Trump had ordered ahead of the July 4 celebration. The painting and sealing project was estimated to cost at least $14 million. But problems soon arose, with the coating peeling off and algae turning the pool's water a mucky green - setbacks Trump repeatedly blamed on vandals, without providing evidence. Government lawyers admitted as such in a 20-page court filing released Friday as DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro (pictured) moved to drop all charges David Hearn (pictured), the former Olympian accused of vandalizing Donald Trump's restored Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, has had his charges dismissed Hearn, who competed in three Olympic Summer Games, said he visited the refurbished pool after a long bike ride and noticed a piece of partially detached liner. He reached into the water to see what it felt like, and as he prepared to leave, US Park Police arrested him. Hearn told the Daily Mail last month his arrest and the charges were a farce intended to boost a false narrative as he shared an image of the pool's damaged facade. 'It's a completely unfounded accusation. It's a lie,' Hearn said over the phone. 'I didn't rip, tear, destruct, destroy, or harm in any way, any part of the reflecting pool.'  He admitted to touching a 'loose flap of coating,' but claimed he did so purely because he was 'curious as a concerned citizen.'  Hearn's lawyers said in a statement that the case against him 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,' the lawyers said. Investigations into David Hearn showed the damage was the result of a 'flawed installation by the contractor' and 'the rush to complete the project' in time for Trump's America 250 celebration The 67-year-old from Bethesda, Maryland, was indicted last earlier this month on a single felony count of property destruction. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. 'Every American should be alarmed about this prosecution,' defense attorney Norm Eisen said after the hearing. 'It is not a crime to touch the Reflecting Pool.' Trump earlier threatened jail time for anyone seeking to damage one of his signature renovation projects. 'Please remember that there is a 10 year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things - Which will be fully enforced!' the president said in June. Law enforcement for the National Park Service said in June that five people were arrested for vandalism and five others were issued federal citations. This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.