President Trump claimed on Truth Social that a "highly credible" National Park Service employee saw former Olympian David Hearn "violently" damage the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a claim made shortly after prosecutors dismissed charges against Hearn. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said new documents showed the damage likely resulted from a botched installation rather than vandalism. Pirro dismissed the case "without prejudice," and Hearn's attorneys filed a 28-page motion seeking to make that dismissal permanent.
Trump Says 'Highly Credible' Witness Saw Ex‑Olympian 'Violently' Damage Reflecting Pool — Charges Dropped After New Documents
(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
President Donald Trump on Sunday posted on Truth Social that a "highly credible" National Park Service (NPS) employee witnessed former Olympian David Hearn "violently" vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on behalf of ActBlue — a claim he made shortly after charges against Hearn were dismissed.
"ALERT: A National Park Service career employee, a highly credible witness, saw David Hearn (ActBlue) in broad daylight vandalize the Reflecting Pool by 'violently' ripping and tugging at the Pool's somewhat delicate coating."
Trump said the NPS employee provided that eyewitness account to the U.S. Attorney's Office in early July. He also alleged other damage, including the use of an acid-like substance on newly installed grass next to the pool where the letters "86 47" were written — a phrase Trump suggested may have originated with former FBI director James Comey.
Trump acknowledged there is no known video or independent footage of the alleged vandalism, noting that the visible damage itself is the primary evidence. He said repair work is underway, the pool will reopen soon, and additional security cameras are being installed. He also blamed a small area of contractor error from a rushed July 4th timeline for some of the damage.
Hearn's attorney, Norm Eisen, posted a photo of the formal dismissal notice. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the Justice Department initially relied on Interior Department claims that "the damage was caused entirely by vandals, including [Hearn]." After the indictment, Pirro wrote, the department "provided additional documents" indicating the harm resulted from a botched installation rather than intentional vandalism by Hearn.
Pirro filed the dismissal motion "without prejudice," meaning the government could potentially refile charges. To block that possibility, Hearn's lawyers filed a 28-page motion last week asking the court to make the dismissal permanent.
Trump publicly criticized Pirro's decision to drop the case, saying she "choked" and "folded like an umbrella," and there was immediate speculation that she could face consequences because of the president's anger. At present, the official record shows the case was dismissed pending further review, and Hearn's legal team is seeking a final resolution.
Report originally appeared on Mediaite.
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