In early June, a U.S. National Park Service engineer alerted the Trump administration about peeling issues with the floor of the Lincoln Reflecting Pool. The problem arose from the renovation process and the materials used. Court filings released Wednesday revealed this information.
Despite the engineer’s warning, President Donald Trump accused several individuals of “destroying” the pool once it was reopened to the public. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C. charged former Olympian canoeist David Hearn with destruction of property during his visit on June 19.
The engineer had sent an email on June 11 regarding the peeling issue, a document included in a court filing by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. According to prosecutors, they were not aware or in possession of documents from the Interior Department highlighting installation problems when Hearn was charged. The engineer explained that the “top layer of liner has peeled,” noting that the layer is “very thin and will not impact the strength of the liner.” The email cited the contractor, who described the peeled section as “overspray” from spraying the perimeter joint with polyurea.
The message warned that the issue could cause a 1’-2’ strip to be vulnerable to peeling and was sent to both Interior Department and Park Service personnel as the Washington Monument was reflected in the partially drained pool on August 12.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Spence highlighted the engineer’s warning in the Wednesday filing. Referring to the information provided, Spence stated, “These statements cast significant doubt that the defendant caused damage to the lining.” He added that the details about the liner’s overspray nature were presented to prosecutors weeks after Hearn’s indictment by a grand jury.
Spence argued that late-provided documents showed blistering and peeling as noted by the contractors, which weakened the government’s case against Hearn. On July 31, U.S. Attorney’s Office head Jeanine Pirro dropped the case against Hearn, citing evidence that questioned “the evidentiary basis for the indictment.” The evidence included Interior Department documents indicating the Reflecting Pool damage in June originated from the contractor’s flawed installation.
Trump criticized Pirro for dismissing the charges, insisting that the Reflecting Pool had been vandalized. To prevent a revival of the case against Hearn, his attorneys are seeking to permanently block any Justice Department effort for a “politically motivated prosecution.”
In the recent filing, the U.S. Attorney’s Office requested that a superior court judge dismiss the case without prejudice. This would allow the possibility of refiling charges against Hearn in the future.
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