Trump Mad After DOJ Fails To Indict Vandals

The Department of Justice on Monday dropped charges against three more people accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, just days after prosecutors dismissed the criminal case against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn.

Federal prosecutors filed motions to dismiss the cases against Cameron Theirs, Sophie Dennison-Gibby and Justin Carreno, ending the misdemeanor property damage charges against all three.

The move follows Friday’s decision by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office to drop the felony case against Hearn after prosecutors concluded the damage was tied to problems with the Reflecting Pool’s installation rather than vandalism. Hearn had faced up to 10 years in prison after being accused of damaging the newly installed liner.

Attorneys representing the defendants welcomed the decision, arguing the charges should never have been filed.

Dennison-Gibby’s attorney said his client was relieved the case had been dismissed after what he described as a difficult ordeal. Carreno’s attorney said his client lost his job as a government contractor and suffered damage to his reputation because of the prosecution.

The Justice Department has not publicly commented on the latest dismissals.

When prosecutors first announced charges against Hearn, Pirro suggested additional people could face criminal charges over damage to the Reflecting Pool, which experienced peeling paint, liner problems and algae growth following its multimillion-dollar renovation.

President Trump has strongly disagreed with the decision to dismiss the cases and has continued to argue the damage was the result of vandalism rather than construction defects.

Speaking Monday, Trump said he believed Pirro made the wrong decision, arguing the damage was “a pure case of vandalism.” He also criticized the handling of the case and suggested pressure from the courts played a role in the outcome.

Prosecutors, however, said newly uncovered evidence showed the Reflecting Pool had experienced significant installation problems, including overspraying, delamination and construction defects that existed before the alleged vandalism occurred. They concluded they could no longer prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants were responsible for the widespread damage.

Pirro later visited the White House on Monday as questions continued about her future role within the Trump administration following the high-profile decision to dismiss the cases.