Judge Gives Blunt Warning to Trump Goons in Reflecting Pool ‘Vandal’ Case

Key Points:

• Judge Todd E. Edelman criticized the Trump administration's handling of the case against David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, warning that the government is "operating at its own peril."
• The Trump administration and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro allege Hearn caused damage leading to an algal bloom after a failed $16 million renovation that turned the pool green instead of blue, with the contract awarded to a Trump ally with a criminal record.
• Hearn's attorneys moved to dismiss the case, arguing that key evidence was not preserved as the government drained and began repairing the pool liner, but Judge Edelman denied the motion while requesting prosecutors clarify the status of evidence preservation.
• The judge set a trial date for September 28, urged the government to maintain the status quo at the pool site to protect evidence, and noted prosecutors may not control ongoing renovations, cautioning that the government's actions could jeopardize their case.
• Hearn, who pleaded not guilty, maintains he only touched the pool lining out of curiosity and that the pool's condition did not change due to his actions, while the judge left open the possibility for future dismissal motions.