White House asked DOJ about new Reflecting Pool case against David Hearn

Key Points:

• White House officials have requested the Justice Department to consider bringing a new criminal case against David Hearn, the former Olympian accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial's Reflecting Pool, after federal prosecutors moved to dismiss the indictment.
• Prosecutors initially charged Hearn with felony destruction of government property, citing over $1,000 in damage to the sealant of the Reflecting Pool, a renovation project supported by President Trump.
• The indictment was dismissed without prejudice due to new information indicating the damage stemmed from a contractor's faulty installation rather than vandalism, prompting criticism from President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
• Discussions between the White House and the Justice Department's Criminal Division explored the possibility of pursuing misdemeanor charges against Hearn, which would not require a grand jury, but no decision has been made.
• Following the dismissal of Hearn's charges, prosecutors also moved to drop misdemeanor charges against three other defendants; Hearn's attorney criticized efforts to revive the case, calling it a waste of resources given the lack of evidence.