WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro met with President Donald Trump at the White House Monday after he publicly accused her of mishandling the failed prosecution of a former Olympian charged with damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Pirro’s office moved Friday to dismiss the felony case against David Hearn, 67, after evidence indicated that defects from a recent renovation—not vandalism—caused the pool’s damaged lining. Prosecutors subsequently dropped related charges against three other people.
Trump told reporters Pirro had “choked” and “folded like an umbrella,” blaming judicial pressure for the reversal. ABC News reported that Trump had privately discussed removing Pirro before their meeting. She was not fired and did not submit her resignation, according to subsequent reporting.
Pirro’s office initially announced the charge with confidence, alleging Hearn tore the pool lining and caused costly damage. Its dismissal motion later blamed the Interior Department for failing to provide information showing that flawed contractor work was responsible.
The reversal raises serious questions about why prosecutors filed a felony charge before establishing the cause and extent of the damage. Hearn had pleaded not guilty, and his attorneys maintained that government witnesses could not prove he caused any compensable loss.
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