Trump Is Pushing Federal Prosecutors To Pursue an Ex-Olympian for Pool Damage, Despite the DOJ Admitting His Own Contractors Botched the Job
‘A shocking first.’
President Donald Trump’s administration is pushing federal prosecutors to pursue new charges against ex-Olympian David Hearn for damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. This comes even after the Department of Justice (DOJ) admitted its own contractors botched the installation.
According to Reality Tea, the latest development unfolded just weeks after U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro moved to dismiss the original felony case, citing evidence that the $14.7 million renovation failed due to shoddy workmanship, not vandalism. The White House has formally asked the DOJ to explore whether Hearn could face a misdemeanor charge instead, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from his legal team.
In a joint statement, attorneys Norm Eisen, Mary Dohrmann, and Steve Levin called the potential revival of the case “a shocking first.” They argued that a revival would “further harass an innocent man” after prosecutors already conceded they lacked evidence.
The original indictment accused Hearn of slashing the pool’s new blue lining
However, court filings later revealed the damage stemmed from rushed construction, failed expansion joint tests, and supply delays. Pirro’s office even described the Interior Department’s initial claims as “less than fulsome information,” only admitting the truth after securing the indictment.
Trump has been vocal about his frustration with the case, publicly pressuring Pirro to reverse her decision. Over the weekend, he posted court documents on Truth Social, quoting a “highly credible witness” who claimed Hearn “violently” ripped the lining. He also accused Pirro of folding “like an umbrella” and choking under pressure, demanding she “re-visit her hastily made decision.”
The president has repeatedly insisted the damage was deliberate, pointing to alleged knife slashes and claims that Hearn – a former Olympic canoeist – was seen tugging at loose sections of the coating. U.S. Park Police initially identified Hearn as a suspect after he was spotted near the pool on June 19, though his attorneys have since filed photographic evidence proving he caused no harm.
The renovation itself has been a disaster from the start
According to The Independent, what was pitched as a $1.5 million quick fix ahead of Fourth of July celebrations ballooned into a $14.7 million no-bid contract awarded to Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings LLC. The project’s “American flag blue” sealant began peeling almost immediately, and algae returned shortly after completion.
Pirro’s motion to dismiss noted that the rush to finish led to “hasty and botched work that was not remediated,” a far cry from Trump’s initial promises of a speedy, cost-effective upgrade. The judge overseeing the case has agreed to dismiss the charges but will hold a hearing next month to determine whether the dismissal should be “with prejudice,” which would block the DOJ from refiling.
The push for new charges comes amid broader concerns about politically motivated prosecutions, especially after Todd Blanche was confirmed as U.S. Attorney General. Blanche has refused to comment on Pirro’s handling of the case, but the optics are messy.
Fox News reports that Trump has also targeted Hearn’s alleged ties to Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue, calling him a “big player” and slamming Eisen as a “TRUMP DERANGED SLEAZEBAG.” The president’s fixation on the case has raised eyebrows, particularly since the DOJ’s own filings admit the damage was the result of “botched installation and not vandalism.”
Hearn’s attorneys have been blunt in their assessment
“The government is continuing to attack an innocent man,” they said, pointing to the July 10 photographic evidence that exonerates their client. The July 31 motion to dismiss further confirmed the Interior Department’s role in the failure.
Despite this, the White House is still pressing for a misdemeanor charge – a move that could set a troubling precedent. If the DOJ proceeds, it would mark the first time a case dismissed for lack of evidence was resurrected in this manner, undermining the department’s credibility.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has long been a symbol of national pride, but this saga has turned it into a political football. The original timeline for the renovation was wildly optimistic, with Trump promising a quick turnaround that never materialized. Instead, taxpayers are footing the bill for a project that failed almost immediately, while one man faces the prospect of renewed legal harassment.
The judge’s upcoming hearing could finally put an end to the case, but given the White House’s persistence, nothing is guaranteed. For now, the only clear winners are the contractors who walked away with millions for a job that didn’t hold up.
(Featured image: G. Edward Johnson)
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
Follow The Mary Sue:
