President Donald Trump has acknowledged "contractor error" played a role in the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, while a former Olympian threatened legal action over alleged harassment stemming from the project. Trump stated on social media that while some damage occurred due to rushing the project for a July 4th opening, a significant portion of the issues were attributed to contractor mistakes.
Trump also reiterated his claims that "bad actors" vandalized the pool liner, specifically naming former Olympian David Hearn. He cited a witness who alleged Hearn was "violently ripping and tugging" the liner. Trump expressed disappointment that no video evidence existed to convict Hearn and others he believes were involved, but indicated that additional security cameras would be installed to deter future vandalism.
"There was substantial other damage to the Reflecting Pool, also but, unfortunately, there is no video or proof, other than the damage, itself," Trump wrote, adding that the pool would reopen shortly.
Hearn's legal team has responded by threatening to sue Trump for "continued harassment," deeming the accusations "outrageous."
Previously, Trump had voiced his dissatisfaction with the contractors, stating he was "not saying I was 100 percent thrilled with the contractor, but the contractor was rushing. We wanted to get it open for July 4th, and we got it done." He also expressed disappointment last week that charges against Hearn and others arrested for vandalism had been dropped by US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro.
Government lawyers filed a document Friday stating that new evidence "undermines the evidentiary basis for the indictment" and recommended dismissal. The filing indicated that the damage to the pool was likely the result of a "botched installation and not vandalism as initially represented" by the Interior Department.
"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," the court filing stated. Hearn had previously denied the vandalism accusations in an interview, calling them "a completely unfounded accusation. It's a lie."
