Trump administration admits contractors wrecked Reflecting Pool

The Justice Department has dropped vandalism charges against former Olympian David Hearn over damage to the National Mall's Reflecting Pool, with US Attorney Jeanine Pirro acknowledging the peeling sealant was caused by a 'botched installation' by contractors — not protesters. Trump had previously blamed 'sick' vandals and used the incident as a political rallying point, making the reversal a notable embarrassment for the administration.