Nicolai Haugsted
Legal battle reignites as Trump reportedly seeks second attempt.
Fresh controversy is unfolding inside the Justice Department after reports that the White House is urging officials to reconsider criminal charges against an Olympic athlete whose case was already abandoned after prosecutors concluded there was no evidence he damaged the National Mall’s Reflecting Pool.
The renewed effort comes only days after Todd Blanche was sworn in as attorney general, raising new questions about political influence over prosecutorial decisions.
According to the Wall Street Journal, White House officials have asked the Justice Department to explore whether former Olympic canoeist David Hearn could face a different set of charges, even after the original vandalism case collapsed.
Earlier this month, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro dismissed the prosecution after concluding that the damage to the Reflecting Pool had not been caused by vandalism but by faulty construction work performed by a contractor hired for the renovation project.
While felony allegations were dropped, officials are reportedly examining whether misdemeanor charges could still be pursued.
Defense lawyers condemn reported move
Hearn’s legal team reacted sharply to reports that prosecutors may revisit the case.
In a statement provided to the Daily Beast, attorneys Norm Eisen, Mary Dohrmann and Steve Levin said,
“if true, it would mark a shocking first: a case that the DOJ lost by its own admission because it lacked the evidence to convict returning from the dead.”
The lawyers added that reviving the prosecution would “further harass an innocent man.”
The White House has not publicly commented on the report and has not denied contacting the Justice Department about reconsidering the case.
Project became political flashpoint
The Reflecting Pool renovation was intended to be completed ahead of the United States’ 250th Independence Day celebrations.
Instead, the project became the subject of criticism after the renovated pool reportedly developed algae problems rather than the clean blue appearance originally envisioned. Costs also climbed dramatically, reportedly increasing from roughly $1.5 million to more than $15 million.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that vandals were responsible for the damage and publicly accused Hearn of intentionally targeting the landmark.
Pirro initially filed charges after investigators claimed witnesses had seen Hearn removing material from the pool. However, prosecutors later concluded that evidence obtained after the indictment undermined the government’s case.
Charges against three other individuals—Justin Carreno, Sophie Dennison-Gibby and Cameron Thiers—were also dismissed.
Although the prosecution against Hearn was dismissed, the court has not yet determined whether the dismissal was with prejudice, which would permanently prevent the case from being refiled.
Defense attorney Norm Eisen said his team is asking the court to remove that possibility altogether.
Meanwhile, the reported discussions are unfolding as Attorney General Todd Blanche begins his tenure following a narrow Senate confirmation. According to the Wall Street Journal, conversations about the case have so far remained within the Justice Department’s criminal division and have not yet reached Blanche directly.
