President Donald Trump sharply criticized Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, after she dropped felony vandalism charges against former Olympian David Hearn in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool case.

Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office on Monday, August 3rd, 2026, Trump said, “The judge was extremely unfriendly to Jeanine, and 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. And I guess she choked.” He added that Pirro “folded like an umbrella” and expressed disappointment in her handling of the case.

Hearn was indicted last month by a grand jury in Washington, D.C., on charges of felony destruction of property, accused of forcefully pulling up and removing the bottom liner of the recently renovated Reflecting Pool on June 19th. Hearn pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing, stating the pool's condition was unchanged after his contact.

On Friday, Pirro announced the charges would be dropped after her office received documents from the Interior Department showing the damage was due to a botched installation and contractor error, not vandalism. A government motion described a rushed and flawed installation process with repeated failures and extensive peeling of the pool's lining.

Trump has voiced his disagreement with Pirro's decision previously on Truth Social, stating he disagreed 100% with her. When asked if he was reconsidering Pirro's role or planning to remove her, Trump deflected questions, calling reporters “fake news.”

Pirro was nominated by Trump last year to serve as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and was confirmed by the Senate in August.

Sources