President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for Washington D.C., over her handling of cases connected to damage at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. In comments to NBC News, Trump expressed frustration with Pirro’s position that the pool’s deterioration resulted from a failed renovation project rather than deliberate vandalism. Trump characterized her stance as a significant error in judgment.
Pirro, a former Fox News personality appointed by Trump to lead the capital’s prosecutorial office, filed court documents requesting the dismissal of vandalism charges against several individuals, including former Olympic athlete David Hearn. The 20-page filing argued that the damage to the concrete-bottomed pool stemmed from faulty work by a contractor, contradicting Trump’s repeated assertions about intentional vandalism at the site.
The dispute escalated following a reported tense meeting at the White House involving Trump, Pirro, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. During that discussion, Pirro allegedly accused Burgum of misleading the president regarding the rushed renovation process. When asked whether he would remove Pirro from her position, Trump suggested he was considering action but had not yet made a final decision.
Hearn’s legal team indicated they are exploring multiple avenues for response, including potential civil litigation and professional complaints against prosecutors involved in the case. The controversy highlights tensions within the administration over the handling of incidents at the recently renovated $15 million reflecting pool.
Originally reported by Theguardian →
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