CNN pundit Scott Jennings expressed strong criticism of the Justice Department on Friday following the dismissal of charges against former Olympian David Hearn. The DOJ had initially accused Hearn, a three-time U.S. Olympic canoeist, of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Jennings stated on CNN’s “The Source” that the administration appeared to be in a "terrible" light after the charges were dropped, remarking, "I mean, on this one, the administration looks like a monkey having intimate relations with a football. It looks terrible, after everything that was said."
He added that Hearn "is owed an apology" and suggested the Olympian should consider legal action against the DOJ to "get his name back."
In its filing to dismiss the charges, the Justice Department stated that "Given all of this newly discovered information, it is difficult to attribute the widespread damage to the Reflecting Pool to vandalism, let alone to establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt." This followed an earlier accusation by U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro that Hearn had been "forcefully and violently" pulling at the pool's liner. Pirro had initially suggested the damage was due to installation issues and a "rush to complete the project" before a presidential celebration.
Prior to the dismissal, former President Donald Trump had also commented on the incident, referring to those responsible as "Deranged Vandals" and expressing hope that "The Scum in Court will hopefully be prosecuted to the MAX."
Jennings reiterated his view that Hearn's name had been "dragged through the mud" and expressed satisfaction that the charges were dropped, but questioned the initial decision to proceed with a trial without sufficient evidence. He concluded by stating the administration needs to focus on repairing the pool.