Judges drops Reflecting Pool case permanently, cites Trump pressure
CNBC • • nation
Key Points:
- A judge dismissed the criminal case against former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn for vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and barred prosecutors from refiling the charges.
- Judge Todd Edelman cited "exceptional circumstances," including the risk of political pressure from former President Donald Trump, who insisted the damage was intentional vandalism despite evidence to the contrary.
- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro initially sought to dismiss the case without prejudice to allow possible future charges, but the judge ruled against this to protect Hearn from potential re-prosecution driven by political influence.
- Hearn's attorneys praised the dismissal as a victory for justice and the rule of law, stating the case should never have been brought against their client.
- The White House and U.S. Attorney's office have not yet commented on the judge's ruling.
