Why did Trump attack Jeanine Pirro over US reflecting pool ‘vandalism’?

A dispute has emerged between US President Donald Trump and Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, regarding criminal charges related to damage at Washington's Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The pool underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation ahead of the nation's 250th independence anniversary. Following completion of the refurbishment, portions of the pool's lining were observed floating on the water's surface, and algae growth changed the water colour from blue to green. Trump attributed this damage to vandalism.

David Hearn, a 67-year-old former Olympic canoeist, was among several individuals arrested on suspicion of criminal damage to the pool's "American flag blue" lining. Hearn stated he had placed his hand in the water to examine a section of lining that had begun peeling on June 19. He was accused of forcefully removing the lining, causing over $1,000 in damage, and faced charges of destruction of government property carrying a potential 10-year prison sentence. Pirro announced the indictment at a news conference on July 2, describing Hearn's alleged actions as "an affront to the dignity of our shared history."

Pirro subsequently reversed course, announcing that the pool damage had most likely resulted from defective installation of the lining rather than intentional vandalism. She dropped the charges against Hearn. Trump responded sharply to this decision on Monday, criticising Pirro for having "choked" under judicial pressure and "folded like an umbrella." Trump, who had appointed Pirro as US Attorney for the District of Columbia in May of the previous year, threatened to terminate her employment. However, sources indicated to CNN that Trump ultimately refrained from firing Pirro following a Monday meeting between the two.