• President Trump expressed disappointment in Jeanine Pirro for dropping vandalism charges.
• He stated she "choked" under pressure and suggested contractor error caused the damage.
• The Justice Department's motion led to a significant rebuke from Trump, citing close ties with Pirro.
• David Hearn, the accused, contended his actions were misinterpreted during a bike ride.

President Trump publicly criticized U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for her office's decision to drop charges against former Olympian David Hearn, accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Trump stated Pirro "choked" and "folded like an umbrella," expressing his discontent with her response to the allegations. He remarked, "I was disappointed with Jeanine Pirro. Really disappointed with Jeanine Pirro," during a press event at the Oval Office, signaling disapproval of her decision to categorize the damage as a result of "shoddy construction" rather than vandalism, according to CBS News, Reuters, and Los Angeles Times.

The Justice Department's filing cited "contractor error" and quickly gained attention amid Trump's vocal frustration, who had previously suggested that damage to the pool was intentional. Trump indicated that surveillance footage depicted individuals tampering with the waterproofing materials. He lamented Pirro's handling of the situation as a significant setback, asserting, "Instead of going after the people that did it, the judge went after her," according to Reuters, Los Angeles Times, and CBS News.

Hearn has consistently asserted his innocence, stating that he was merely inspecting the pool while on a bike ride when he was misinterpreted as vandalizing the site. His attorneys criticized the decision to pursue charges initially, declaring it should have never been initiated, which adds a layer of complexity to the case now dropped by Pirro's office. The fallout has prompted significant scrutiny regarding the Justice Department's handling of the incident and its implications for Trump's administration, as detailed in Los Angeles Times, Reuters, and CBS News.