The administration dropped a felony charge against David Hearn for damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after admitting the damage was caused by a contractor.
The administration dropped a felony charge against David Hearn for damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, admitting for the first time that the damage was caused by a flawed installation by a contractor rather than vandalism. The U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro had previously claimed Hearn was seen forcefully pulling up the bottom liner, but the government now acknowledges the damage was not a result of vandalism as initially represented. Defense attorney Steve Levin stated that the government’s approach was 'ready, shoot, aim' and argued that the federal government owes Hearn an apology for the abuse of government power. The $16 million paint job on the century-old pool has faced several issues, including an algae bloom and peeling coating. President Trump had previously pledged to beautify the pool before the nation’s 250th birthday, directing the bottom to be painted 'American flag blue.' The administration originally blamed the peeling paint and a 350-foot gash on vandalism, labeling the vandals as 'sick people.'