President Donald Trump expressed disappointment with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for dropping charges against a U.S. Olympic canoeist accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Trump stated that Pirro ‘folded like an umbrella’ and ‘choked’ in her assessment of the situation.
Background of the Incident
The incident occurred when the canoeist, David Hearn, touched a chunk of the pool’s newly peeled coating during a bike ride. Hearn claimed he obeyed a park worker who told him to let go of it. The charges against Hearn were dropped, along with those against three other individuals accused of removing pieces of paint from the Reflecting Pool.
Trump had previously touted the Reflecting Pool project as part of his efforts to improve the nation’s capital. However, he has since distanced himself from the project, stating that he was not pleased with the work done by the contractor, Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings.
Republican Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy commented on the situation, stating that U.S. Attorney Pirro should not have made allegations she could not back up. Kennedy also suggested that Hearn may file for compensation under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.
