Trump says Pirro 'folded like an umbrella' in bid to drop Reflecting Pool vandalism charges

President Donald Trump criticized U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro on Monday, calling her decision to drop charges against a former Olympian accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool “choked” and “folded like an umbrella.” The remarks came during an unrelated Oval Office event, where Trump sidestepped direct questions about whether he would remove Pirro, a former Fox News host and long-time ally whom he appointed as the top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C. Despite avoiding a clear answer, Trump continued his pattern of sharp public rebuke, expressing disappointment over Pirro’s stance that the damage to the Reflecting Pool resulted from poor construction rather than intentional vandalism. The decision to dismiss charges against David Hearn, a former Olympic swimmer, represented a rare instance during Trump’s second term of a high-ranking official openly challenging his authority. Hearn claimed he accidentally touched a section of the pool while examining its newly applied coating during a bike ride on June 19. He stated he complied with instructions from a park worker to release the piece. However, the dismissal of charges has drawn scrutiny, particularly given the controversy surrounding the Reflecting Pool’s renovation. Trump expressed frustration over the situation, stating that he believed Pirro “choked” due to pressure from a harsh judge who targeted her and her office. He reiterated his belief that the damage was deliberate vandalism, not a result of faulty construction. His comments followed an earlier social media post in which he declared his disagreement with Pirro’s findings. Two days later, Trump remained visibly upset, emphasizing his dissatisfaction with the outcome. Pirro has not made any public statements since Trump’s initial criticism. Meanwhile, the case highlights broader tensions within the Trump administration regarding accountability and oversight. The Reflecting Pool, a prominent feature of Washington, D.C., became a focal point of controversy following its recent renovations. Trump had previously praised the project, claiming he had consulted experts familiar with pool maintenance and selected a contractor based on their experience with his properties. In April, Trump mentioned consulting with three firms that had worked on pools at his resorts, ultimately choosing Atlantic Industrial Coatings, a Virginia-based company that had completed work on his golf course. The firm received a $14.7 million no-bid contract to repaint and waterproof the Reflecting Pool’s concrete floor. However, Trump admitted Monday that he was unaware of the specific details of the contractor’s work and suggested that the project had been rushed to meet deadlines for the July 4th holiday. Despite acknowledging the rush, Trump asserted that the Reflecting Pool would be “fixed” and reopened within the next week and a half to two weeks. He offered no additional information about the timeline or costs associated with the repairs. Crews had already begun draining the pool to initiate a new phase of repairs, though the White House has yet to provide updates on the completion date or financial implications of the ongoing work. The administration has opted not to seek competitive bids for the latest round of repairs, raising concerns about transparency and process. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on the legal and administrative challenges surrounding the Reflecting Pool, with Trump continuing to emphasize his dissatisfaction with both the judicial process and the outcomes of the renovation efforts.