Remember when President Trump blamed vandals for wrecking the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool? Turns out, the real culprit might have been a contractor who was in too much of a hurry. The Justice Department on Friday dropped the vandalism case against former Olympic canoeist David "Davey" Hearn, admitting that the damage was likely caused by a "flawed installation."

Contractor Under Scrutiny as Blame Shifts

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and Assistant Attorney Michael Spence told a judge that documents from the Department of the Interior pointed to a rushed, botched job by contractor Atlantic Industrial Coatings. In their filing, they wrote: "The information subsequently demanded by the USAO and disclosed by the DOI—which was not known to the prosecutors or the grand jury before the return of the indictment—strongly suggests that a rushed and botched installation by AIC, the primary contractor, led to the damage to the lining of the Reflecting Pool."

Atlantic Industrial Coatings did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A Flashpoint in Trump's Washington Overhaul

The 2,000-foot pool was refurbished with an "American flag blue" liner at President Donald Trump's request, part of his broader push to remake the capital ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations. The $14.7 million project soon drew criticism, however, after algae blooms tinted the water green and pieces of the new liner began peeling away.

Trump had initially blamed vandals for the damage, announcing plans in late June to drain the pool after July 4 for repairs. Now, with the charges dismissed, Hearn's lawyers say the dropped charges don't erase "the abuse of government power," adding that the administration owes their client an apology.

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