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Judge Dismisses Former Olympian’s Felony Charge in Reflecting Pool Case
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- A Washington judge dismissed felony vandalism charges against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, following a request by federal prosecutors to drop the case.
- Prosecutors concluded that the damage was due to a flawed renovation ordered by President Trump, contradicting Trump's claim that vandals caused the damage.
- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro initially supported the vandalism claims but later reversed her position after discovering the Interior Department had concealed information about the pool's faulty renovation.
- The reversal led to public criticism from Trump, including accusations that Pirro had mishandled the case, but Pirro retained her position after a tense Oval Office meeting involving Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
- The case highlights internal conflicts within the Justice Department and the Trump administration over accountability for the Reflecting Pool's damage.
