- Pirro's office dropped felony destruction of property charges against Olympic canoeist David Hearn, citing Interior Department documents showing the damage was the result of a botched installation and not vandalism.
- Trump criticized Pirro at an Aug. 3 Oval Office event, saying she "choked" and "folded like an umbrella" in deciding not to prosecute Hearn.
- Trump met with Pirro at the White House later that day.
- On Aug. 5, Trump said he had not "made a determination" about whether to keep U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro in her job, speaking after an event in California.
- The dispute centers on Pirro dropping felony destruction of property charges against Olympic canoeist David Hearn, accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
- Trump said Pirro, a former Fox News host he appointed last year as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, was "totally wrong" and said he told her "I told her I was not happy."
- Trump touted the Reflecting Pool renovations as part of a Washington makeover ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary, but the project has been plagued by peeling lining and algae blooms.
- Trump continued to insist without evidence that the damage was caused by "nefarious actors" and called it "major vandalism."
President Trump has yet to determine the fate of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who recently dismissed felony charges against Olympic canoeist David Hearn. During an event in California on Aug. 5, Trump stated, “I haven’t made a determination” regarding her job security.123456789
Pirro's decision to drop the charges was based on findings from the Interior Department, which indicated that the damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was due to a botched installation rather than vandalism. This contradicts Trump's claims that the damage was caused by vandals, leading him to criticize Pirro for her decision, stating she “choked” and “folded like an umbrella” during an Oval Office meeting on Aug. 3.
Despite his frustrations, Trump has continued to assert that the Reflecting Pool's issues stem from nefarious actors, insisting that it was “major vandalism”. He has touted the renovations as part of a broader effort to enhance Washington ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, although the project has faced numerous challenges, including peeling linings and algae blooms.
“Trump called Pirro's decision 'totally wrong,' saying she 'choked' and 'folded like an umbrella' at an Aug. 3 Oval Office event, then met with her at the White House. He continues to insist without evidence the pool damage was 'major vandalism' by 'nefarious actors.'”
