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Trump Considers Removing Jeanine Pirro Over Reflecting Pool Court Filing

The dismissal of vandalism charges against a former Olympian has sparked significant tension between the president and his longtime ally.

Asude Karataş • 3 Ağustos 2026 22:00 • 3 dk okuma • 9 görüntülenme

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering the removal of US Attorney Jeanine Pirro over a Justice Department court filing that attributed damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to flawed renovation work rather than vandalism. Multiple sources indicate Trump is "furious" with Pirro, and senior administration officials suggest her departure from the position is highly likely based on the president's public and private criticism.

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The Reflecting Pool Dispute
Tensions Between Trump and Pirro

The Reflecting Pool Dispute

The Department of Justice filed court documents on Friday concluding that the president's $14 million renovation of the Reflecting Pool was "hasty and botched," leading the government to drop criminal charges against David Hearn, a former Olympian who had been accused of vandalizing the landmark. Hearn had previously entered a not-guilty plea to the felony charge in DC Superior Court. A career prosecutor overseeing cases in that court signed the filing requesting the dismissal.

The decision contradicted Trump's public position on the matter. The president immediately posted on Truth Social expressing complete disagreement with Pirro's office, stating that the pool damage represented "a pure case of VANDALISM." Trump said he did not understand what Pirro was thinking when the filing was submitted.

Tensions Between Trump and Pirro

Trump and Pirro, a former Fox News host and longtime presidential ally, spoke by phone on Saturday regarding the court filing. According to sources familiar with the conversation, the discussion "wasn't pretty." Pirro attributed the filing to career officials within her office rather than taking personal responsibility for the decision. The two have spoken multiple times since the filing became public.

During an Oval Office event on Monday, Trump elaborated on his disappointment, stating: "I think she choked, because the judge was really vicious. Instead of going after the people that did it, the judge went after her and went after her department." He added that he was "really disappointed" in Pirro, saying she "folded like an umbrella." The president was reportedly blindsided by the filing and did not know in advance that Pirro's office intended to submit it.

What was the Reflecting Pool damage originally attributed to?+

Former Olympian David Hearn was initially charged with vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. However, the Justice Department later concluded that damage to the landmark resulted from the president's $14 million renovation being hastily executed and poorly constructed, rather than from criminal vandalism.

Why did Trump become upset with Jeanine Pirro?+

Trump was upset because Pirro's office filed court documents acknowledging the renovation was flawed and requesting dismissal of the vandalism charges. Trump had publicly stated the damage was vandalism and disagreed with the Justice Department's conclusion. He also was not informed beforehand that the filing would be submitted.

What is Jeanine Pirro's background?+

Jeanine Pirro is a former Fox News host who previously worked as a prosecutor. She currently serves as the US Attorney for the District of Columbia and has been a longtime ally of President Trump.

How much was spent on the Reflecting Pool renovation?+

President Trump invested $14 million in the Reflecting Pool renovation. According to the Justice Department's assessment, the project was rushed and poorly executed, leading to structural problems at the landmark.

Could Pirro be removed from her position?+

Sources familiar with Trump's thinking indicate that removal is highly likely based on his public criticism and private conversations with Pirro. However, no official announcement of removal has been made as of the latest reporting.

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