U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche expressed support for U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro following the decision to dismiss the vandalism case concerning the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. This decision by federal prosecutors came on July 31, as they sought to drop the charges against David Hearn, an Olympic canoeist accused of damaging the $14 million renovation. Evidence suggested that the damage might be due to a faulty renovation, not vandalism.

Blanche stated that both he and President Donald Trump back Pirro, yet he understands Trump’s reaction to the case’s dismissal, given the possible involvement of vandalism. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” he mentioned, “I absolutely support U.S. Attorney Pirro, as does President Trump.”

Blanche pointed out that court filings did not unequivocally determine that poor construction was solely to blame for the damage. He noted that a witness reportedly saw Hearn vandalize the reflecting pool, yet witness testimony needs more evidence for a conclusive case. “There’s a witness that said, ‘I observed the defendant vandalizing the reflecting pool.’ Now, that’s different than whether ultimately we have the proof,” Blanche explained. Hearn has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

In the face of evidence challenges, Blanche praised Pirro’s efforts, saying she is doing “a phenomenal job” prosecuting cases of vandalism involving memorials and monuments. His remarks followed Pirro’s office advances on a separate charge involving a veterans memorial, where Melissa L. Farris allegedly caused $1,000 in property damage. She purportedly spray-painted “clean hands, diary money” and added bubble soap to the memorial fountain.

Blanche acknowledged a recent White House request for the Justice Department to consider a new misdemeanor prosecution for Hearn. He commented, “Will I take the President of the United States’s view on something into consideration? Yes, of course.” The White House did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.