WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump publicly rebuked U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, stating she “choked” and “folded like an umbrella” after her office moved to drop vandalism charges tied to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Political tensions have flared in Washington D.C. following a sharp public reprimand from President Donald Trump directed at D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. The fallout stems from a Department of Justice court filing that moved to dismiss felony charges against a former Olympian accused of damaging the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
The Reflecting Pool Controversy and Dropped Charges
The legal dispute centers around allegations that individuals intentionally vandalized the $15 million blue lining of the high-profile monument. However, a recent 20-page court filing from Pirro’s office changed course, stating that internal documentation revealed the damage was actually the result of a rushed and flawed installation by the contractor rather than deliberate criminal activity.
Key Developments in the Case
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Dismissal of Charges: Prosecutors officially moved to drop the case against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, alongside misdemeanor charges against other defendants.
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Contractor Flaws: Court documents cited rainy weather, testing failures, and a hasty construction timeline leading up to the Fourth of July as the true culprits behind the peeling pool liner.
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White House Pushback: Despite the findings, the administration maintained that vandalism had occurred.
President Trump’s Oval Office Rebuke
Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, Trump expressed profound disappointment with his handpicked federal prosecutor. He argued that Pirro made a mistake and succumbed to pressure from the presiding judge.
What Trump Said About the Decision
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“She Choked”: Trump claimed that pressure from a “vicious” judge caused Pirro’s office to back down instead of defending the prosecution.
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Folded Under Pressure: The president explicitly stated that Pirro “folded like an umbrella”.
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Future Speculation: While reports initially surfaced regarding whether the administration would consider removing her, sources indicated that Pirro met with the president at the White House to navigate the growing administrative rift.
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