Trump doubles down on reflecting pool vandalism allegations, cites new witness account

President Donald Trump continues to criticize the dismissal of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool vandalism case, sharing a National Park Service employee’s account that David Hearn “violently” ripped at the pool’s coating. While acknowledging some contractor error in the renovation, Trump argues this witness statement supports his claim of deliberate damage. Prosecutors had dismissed the felony charge against Hearn, citing newly disclosed evidence linking some damage to flawed installation by a contractor.

• President Trump is amplifying his criticism of the dismissed Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool vandalism case.
• He shared a screenshot of court documents on Truth Social detailing a National Park Service employee’s account.
• The employee alleged that former Olympian David Hearn “violently” ripped and tugged at the pool’s coating.
• Trump argues this witness testimony supports his claim that at least some damage was intentional, not solely due to contractor error.
• Prosecutors had dismissed the felony charge against Hearn, citing evidence of flawed installation by the contractor and rushed project completion.
• Trump has expressed disagreement with the U.S. Attorney’s decision to dismiss the case.
• Hearn’s attorneys stated the case should never have been brought, asserting their client did nothing wrong.