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DOJ drops Hearn case
The U.S. Department of Justice moved to dismiss the criminal case against former Olympian David Hearn over damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, saying the damage “was the result of flawed installation by the contractor.”
“was the result of flawed installation by the contractor”
ABC News reported that Hearn pleaded not guilty to a felony destruction of property charge after U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro accused him of allegedly “forcefully and violently” ripping up parts of the pool floor.
The DOJ filing said it became aware of evidence after the indictment that undermined the case, including documents indicating “repeated failures of the lining during the installation process” and “extensive peeling of the lining throughout the Reflecting Pool.”
NBC News said prosecutors acknowledged that after the indictment came down on July 2, the Interior Department provided additional documents “indicating that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in June 2026 was the result of flawed installation by the contractor.”
Trump vs Pirro
President Donald Trump sharply criticized Pirro after the DOJ moved to drop the case, writing, “I disagree 100% with Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, on the Reflecting Pool.”
In the same dispute, Trump acknowledged there “may have been some contractor difficulty” but continued to insist “the major damage was caused by VANDALS!”
The Hill reported that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum posted on X calling the ruling wrong and saying vandals “repeatedly” damaged the Reflecting Pool, adding that some acts were “even caught on camera.”
PBS described the dismissal as a rare moment during Trump’s second term in which an aide or political appointee openly defied him, while noting Pirro’s filing said additional Interior documents showed the damage was “shoddy construction and not the work of vandals.”
What happens next
The DOJ filing said it was “difficult to attribute the widespread damage to the Reflecting Pool to vandalism, let alone to establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt,” and asked a judge to formally dismiss the case.
“without prejudice”
ABC News reported that the court filing said the dismissal was “without prejudice,” meaning the case could be brought again, and it was not known when the judge would make a decision.
The BBC said Hearn’s lawyers accused the Trump administration of abuse of power and argued the case “should have never been brought,” while also noting Hearn previously told the BBC that he “didn't destroy, rip, tear, peel, or remove any part” of the paint in the pool.
AP News reported that Hearn pleaded not guilty earlier this month to one felony count of property destruction carrying a maximum prison sentence of 10 years upon conviction, and that a trial had been scheduled to start Sept. 28 in D.C. Superior Court before the DOJ move to dismiss.
