DOJ drops Reflecting Pool vandalism case, citing ‘flawed installation’

WASHINGTON —

The Justice Department moved to dismiss a high-profile vandalism case Friday, citing new documents indicating that recent damage to the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool was likely the result of a “rushed and flawed installation process.”

President Donald Trump has repeatedly blamed vandals for problems with the pool following his $14 million renovation, which was fast-tracked ahead of a series of America 250 celebrations on the National Mall.

Federal prosecutors cast doubt on vandalism accusations in a new court filing, which seeks to drop a criminal charge against former Olympian David Hearn.

Explaining the reversal, prosecutors said that the U.S. Department of the Interior initially withheld information detailing contractor errors and that those documents only emerged after “dozens and dozens” of requests from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

“Had DOI been forthcoming with the information clearly in its possession, the government would not have sought a grand jury indictment,” said the filing from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office. “The rush to complete the project led to hasty and botched work that was not remediated before the project was finished and the fencing was removed.”

“Given all of this newly discovered information, it is difficult to attribute the widespread damage to the Reflecting Pool to vandalism, let alone to establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt,” the filing concluded.

The DOI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Neither did the White House.

The court filing notes that, two days after a final inspection of the Reflecting Pool renovation, a National Park Service engineer raised concerns about peeling lining. Those concerns were outlined in an email to other DOI employees eight days before Hearn was arrested and the same day that fencing was removed from the site.

In a statement, Hearn’s attorney said the case’s dismissal “does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong.”

“The government’s approach was ready, fire, aim. The administration owes Mr. Hearn an apology,” the statement continued.

The contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, didn’t immediately comment on the legal developments.

In a statement posted on AIC’s website June 21, 2026, the company acknowledged the need for some repairs but added, “These areas are a very small part of the massive 7 acre project, and do not indicate a failure of the liner.”