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Trump slams U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro after DOJ drops Reflecting Pool vandalism case
Federal prosecutors dismissed all four criminal cases tied to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, including the felony indictment of former Olympic canoeist David Hearn. Interior Department records showed the pool’s peeling liner resulted from a rushed, flawed installation by Atlantic Industrial Coatings, not from vandalism. The Department of Justice filing concluded the damage was caused by a botched renovation, overturning the administration’s earlier claim of sabotage.
President Donald Trump publicly rebuked U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, saying she “choked” and “folded like an umbrella” after she moved to drop the charges. Trump said he was “really disappointed” and considered removing or firing Pirro. Pirro had presented a box of evidence to the White House to demonstrate the construction error, and the administration’s $14.7 million no‑bid contract with Atlantic Industrial Coatings was highlighted as part of the disputed project. The dismissals also affected three other defendants—Justin Carreno, Sophie Dennison‑Gibby and Cameron Thiers—who reported loss of government jobs and reputational harm.
Entities
Atlantic Industrial Coatings · David Hearn · Donald Trump · Interior Department · Jeanine Pirro · Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool · U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia · U.S. Department of Justice · U.S. Department of the Interior
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] David Hearn pleaded not guilty to the felony charge. kfgo.com · wtop.com · krmg.com
- [● 9 SOURCES] President Trump considered removing/firing Jeanine Pirro over the Reflecting Pool case. kvia.com · wtop.com · globalnews.ca · krmg.com · mymotherlode.com · +2 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] The Justice Department filing concluded that the Reflecting Pool damage was caused by a botched renovation rather than vandalism. globalnews.ca · deadline.com · dailyboulder.com · eldiariony.com · krmg.com · +7 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Atlantic Industrial Coatings was awarded a $14.7 million no‑bid contract to repaint and waterproof the Reflecting Pool. krmg.com · www.troyrecord.com · nypost.com · mymotherlode.com · www.perthnow.com.au · +4 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] President Donald Trump said Jeanine Pirro “choked” and “folded like an umbrella”. globalnews.ca · deadline.com · dailyboulder.com · eldiariony.com · kfgo.com · +11 more
- [● 21 SOURCES] David Hearn, former Olympic canoeist, was charged with felony property destruction for alleged Reflecting Pool damage. globalnews.ca · deadline.com · dailyboulder.com · eldiariony.com · kfgo.com · +12 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Trump claimed surveillance footage showed people cutting newly installed waterproofing material around the pool. globalnews.ca · dailyboulder.com · kfgo.com · krmg.com · www.troyrecord.com · +1 more
- [● 19 SOURCES] Pirro’s office moved to dismiss the criminal charge against David Hearn after receiving new Interior Department information. globalnews.ca · deadline.com · dailyboulder.com · eldiariony.com · kfgo.com · +10 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] President Trump is considering removing/firing U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro over the Reflecting Pool case. laopinion.com · n1info.hr
- [● 7 SOURCES] President Donald Trump said Jeanine Pirro “choked” and “folded like an umbrella” after she moved to drop the Reflecting Pool case. mymotherlode.com · therandyreport.com · dailyboulder.com · kfgo.com · krmg.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Jeanine Pirro’s office filed a motion to dismiss the criminal charge against David Hearn after receiving new Interior Department information. newsfactsnetwork.com · mymotherlode.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] Federal prosecutors dismissed all four Reflecting Pool vandalism cases, including the felony indictment of David Hearn. newsfactsnetwork.com · globalnews.ca · deadline.com · www.communityvoiceks.com · www.perthnow.com.au · +1 more