- The statement came just days after the DOJ dropped charges for three individuals accused of vandalizing the pool, meaning it’s no longer looking to press charges. The department also dropped charges against David Hearn, a three-time Olympic canoeist.
- Trump shared a screenshot of an X post made by freelance photographer Andrew Leyden, which Trump claimed showed proof of vandalism in the pool. Leyden captioned claiming he had seen cuts in the expansion joints on the side of the Reflecting Pool.
- Trump urged U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro to 're-visit her hastily made decision' in a Friday statement.
- Trump publicly disagreed with the investigations’ conclusions, saying in the Oval Office Monday that Pirro 'folded like an umbrella' and 'choked'. His response sparked speculation around Pirro’s job security as Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche deferred questions about the matter to Trump.
- On Tuesday, Trump said he had not 'made a determination yet' on Pirro's future as a U.S. attorney—a role appointed by the president.
- Despite the president’s claims, Pirro’s office has contractors who led renovation efforts on the national monument were responsible for the damage.
- Trump wrote: 'The material was cut right where the video tape showed, for 300 feet or more. People were on their knees with their hands in the water at the exact location of the 'slashes,' and 'Additionally, there were witnesses to the VANDALISM, and the flexible areas of the material were cut with a knife.'
- Blanche told reporters on Wednesday: 'If President Trump wanted to fire anybody within his administration, he understands he has the power to do that. So, when he makes a decision about whether to fire a U.S. attorney or anybody else, that’s his call.'
President Trump is pressing U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro to reconsider her decision regarding the vandalism claims at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Trump claims that evidence supports his assertion of vandalism, stating, “The material was cut right where the video tape showed, for 300 feet or more.”
He shared a screenshot from photographer Andrew Leyden, who noted “cuts in the expansion joints on the side of the Reflecting Pool.”34
Despite Trump's claims, it has been reported that contractors responsible for the renovation efforts caused the damage.
The DOJ recently dropped charges against three individuals accused of vandalizing the pool, as well as against David Hearn, a three-time Olympic canoeist.12
Trump publicly criticized Pirro's handling of the investigation, stating she “folded like an umbrella” and “choked.”
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche commented on Trump's authority to make personnel decisions, affirming, “If President Trump wanted to fire anybody within his administration, he understands he has the power to do that.”6712
As of now, Trump has not made a determination regarding Pirro's future as U.S. attorney, a position appointed by the president.
“Pirro's office attributes the damage to contractors who led renovation efforts, contradicting Trump's vandalism theory. Trump shared an X post by photographer Andrew Leyden as evidence, while Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said firing a U.S. attorney is Trump's call.”
