US President Donald Trump sharply criticized US Attorney Jeanine Pirro on Monday, August 4th, 2026, for dropping a case involving alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington. Trump accused Pirro of "choking" under pressure from a judge and said she "folded like an umbrella."

Pirro's office filed court documents on Friday stating that the damage to the pool was due to shoddy construction rather than vandalism. Consequently, charges against former Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of deliberately damaging the newly renovated pool ahead of the nation's 250th birthday celebration last month, were dropped.

The renovation, which cost US$14.7 million, faced criticism after the pool developed algae blooms that turned the water green and pieces of the blue lining peeled off. Trump had repeatedly blamed vandals for intentionally sabotaging the project, claiming surveillance footage showed individuals cutting newly installed waterproofing material around the pool. He argued that Pirro, a close political ally, should have continued pursuing the case.

Sources