District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is facing widespread mockery on social media after her office secured a felony indictment against former Olympian David Hearn, accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. At a press conference, Pirro claimed Hearn caused over $1,000 in damage by ripping up sealant from the pool bottom with his bare hands. When a reporter questioned how the damage would be proven, Pirro snapped, “With an expert. Come to the trial.” The reporter further pressed whether bare-hand damage indicated pre-existing flaws, to which Pirro insisted, “Oh, he damaged it. He damaged the pool.”
Evidence and Defense
The new Reflecting Pool coating began peeling almost immediately after installation, according to an Associated Press report. Hearn, in a statement last month, said he was merely examining already detached lining. “I’m a curious citizen,” he said. “I reached down to see what it felt like. It was very rubbery.” The Democracy Defenders Fund, representing Hearn, called the charges “outrageous and should be alarming to every American,” accusing the Trump administration of attempting “to shift blame for their own failures.”
Social Media Backlash
Critics compared the case to the failed prosecution of Sean Charles Dunn, a former Justice Department paralegal acquitted of misdemeanor assault after allegedly throwing a sandwich at a border agent. Others questioned the administration’s priorities, noting President Donald Trump pardoned over 1,500 January 6 rioters. MeidasTouch tweeted, “Her cases always seem to fall apart during the press conference Q+A. Never a good sign for a prosecutor.” Jim Acosta quipped, “Who’s on first? What’s on second?” Jared Shult wrote, “They have no fucking evidence.” Norman Ornstein said, “I hope she gets sanctioned for this. A total bullshit indictment.” Martina Navratilova asked, “How the eff do you damage a pool with your bare hands????!!?” Warren predicted, “I’ll eat my hat on this app if he’s found guilty.” Cheri Jacobus called Pirro a “MAGA hag.” Jason Kint remarked, “This seems less likely to end in conviction than her subway sandwich case.”
