Jeanine Pirro seeks dismissal of Reflecting Pool case without prejudice

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro is facing scrutiny regarding her handling of a vandalism case involving former Olympic canoeist David Hearn. Pirro has conceded that the criminal case against Hearn regarding damage to the Reflecting Pool should be dismissed, but she is seeking to dismiss it “without prejudice.” This would allow her office to potentially revive the charges in the future, citing new evidence that casts doubt on whether Hearn caused specific damage to the pool's lining but does not rule out vandalism to other areas.

Defense attorneys for Hearn argue that a dismissal without prejudice poses a risk of renewed, meritless charges driven by political pressure. The case has drawn personal interest from President Donald Trump, who has publicly questioned Pirro’s decision to drop the case.

In a separate matter, Pirro has publicly defended the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. While critics and reports from organizations like the Center for American Progress suggest the surge has had little impact on violent crime, Pirro claimed the results are “undeniable.” This defense comes as the President threatens legal action against media outlets and think tanks regarding their analysis of the troop deployments, which cost approximately $1.65 million per day.