
President Donald Trump has publicly criticised his own appointee, US Attorney for Washington DC Jeanine Pirro, for dropping a vandalism case against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn. Trump posted photographs of the…
President Donald Trump has publicly criticised his own appointee, US Attorney for Washington DC Jeanine Pirro, for dropping a vandalism case against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn. Trump posted photographs of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on social media and called it a 'pure case of VANDALISM'. He urged Pirro to 're-visit her hastily made decision'.

Prosecutors say a review found the damage was caused by flawed installation, not vandalism. The $14.7 million renovation involving a 'American flag blue' coating was rushed ahead of the US 250th anniversary celebrations. The case against Hearn, who had been accused of ripping a section of the pool's liner, has been dismissed. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum backed Trump's claim but provided no new evidence.

The story spins familiar Washington theatre: a president angry at his own appointee for following evidence over instinct. Both sides have dug in without fresh proof. Trump points at 'vandals', Pirro at a 'flawed' contractor. The $14.7 million renovation was rushed for the 250th anniversary celebrations. Who pays for the repair bill will reveal whether this is principle or politics. Until then, the pool remains a puddle of accusations.
Sources (2): livemint.com, livemint.com (2)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.