President Donald Trump on Saturday criticized U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's claim that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool resulted from poor construction rather than vandalism, saying the majority of the damage was caused by vandals.

In a filing on Friday, Pirro moved to dismiss criminal charges against former Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of pulling up a section of the pool’s liner. The filing said newly disclosed documents indicated that the damage stemmed from a contractor’s installation error and the rushed completion of the project before the planned America 250 celebration in 2026. A visual inspection also found damage across the pool, including in the center, a location where vandalism would be unlikely.

Trump posted on social media that he disagreed with Pirro, stating the major damage was caused by vandals and sharing a video that appeared to show individuals interacting with the pool, claiming the footage showed material being cut. The video, captured from a distance, did not clearly confirm vandalism, and workers were present nearby. The National Park Service reported a June 9 incident in which it said a sharp knife or razor cut the new liner.

Hearn’s legal team said Trump was angry because Pirro’s filing aligned with their argument that the renovation was botched, not vandalism, and criticized Pirro’s claim that she had been misled by the Interior Department. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum responded, stating that the department had provided expert testimony and evidence to the U.S. attorney’s office regarding vandalism.

The dismissal marks a rare public disagreement between a Trump‑appointed official and the president, and the legal dispute over the Reflecting Pool’s condition remains unresolved.