Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana expressed uncertainty on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, about whether former President Donald Trump genuinely believes his allegations that vandals damaged the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Speaking to NBC News host Kristen Welker on "Meet the Press," Kennedy said, "I don’t know whether he really believes that, or it’s part of his political messaging, or he’s just thinking out loud."

Kennedy, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, described Trump as someone who "exists loudly, and he grows anxious when he has an unexpressed thought," adding, "I’m not saying he doesn’t really believe it, I just don’t know."

The Justice Department moved on Friday, July 31st, 2026, to drop its criminal prosecution of former Olympian David Hearn, who had been accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool. In a detailed 20-page filing, prosecutors attributed the damage to a "rushed and botched installation" by Atlantic Industrial Coatings during repainting work carried out in the spring and summer of 2026.

The filing cited delays caused by "very rainy and windy weather," repeated failures in testing the sealing of expansion joints, and difficulties obtaining sealing products at the worksite. The Justice Department also criticized the Interior Department for providing a "barebones" report on the incident involving Hearn.

Despite the case being dropped, Trump voiced his disagreement, stating he opposed Judge Pirro’s decision to dismiss the prosecution "100%." However, Kennedy praised Pirro’s decision, calling it "smart" and likening the situation to a "multiple vehicle pileup."

Sources