Reflecting Pool Vandalism Fight Heats Up

President Donald Trump is keeping the Reflecting Pool vandalism case in the spotlight, pointing to a National Park Service employee’s account that former Olympian David Hearn allegedly tore at the pool’s coating before officers arrived. Trump amplified the claim Sunday on Truth Social, using a screenshot from court documents to argue that the damage was not just the result of construction problems.

The filing Trump shared says two National Park Service employees were cleaning the interior of the Reflecting Pool when Hearn came near the area. One employee, identified in the document as W-1, said Hearn appeared to use his cellphone to take photos or video of the damage. The same employee then alleged that Hearn knelt, put both hands into the water, and “violently” ripped and tugged at a large section of the blue coating. The account says the worker asked another National Park Service employee to call police and told Hearn not to keep pulling at the material. Hearn allegedly replied that park staff were “awfully sensitive about the pool” and continued tugging until National Guard soldiers arrived.

Trump described the witness as a highly credible career employee and said the account was given to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in early July. In his post, he argued that the statement supports his belief that at least part of the damage was deliberate. He also repeated claims that other harm had occurred around the Reflecting Pool, including the use of an “acid like material” on newly installed grass nearby, where “86 47” was allegedly written. Trump said there was substantial additional damage but acknowledged that contractors were responsible for some of the problems, which he tied to rushed work ahead of July 4.

The president said repairs are still underway and added that security cameras have been and are being installed. His comments came after he urged U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro to take another look at the case following prosecutors’ decision to drop the felony charge against Hearn. Trump has openly criticized that move, saying he disagreed with it and later accusing Pirro of backing down under pressure.