President Donald Trump publicly disagreed with U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro’s conclusions regarding the Reflecting Pool vandalism case. This marks a rare divergence between Trump and his appointed official.

In a Truth Social post, Trump voiced his strong opposition to Pirro’s findings that the damage to the Reflecting Pool resulted from “flawed installation.” Trump argued it was “pure vandalism,” citing the presence of large letters “86 47” and other damage to nearby areas as evidence.

Trump’s statement contradicts Pirro’s decision to dismiss felony charges against Olympian David Hearn, as her office found that contractors were largely accountable for the damage, rather than Hearn. Federal prosecutors decided to dismiss the charges against Hearn due to new evidence excluding him from causing significant damage.

The incident originated from a protest in May where participants used the Reflecting Pool, displaying messages like “86 47” on the grass. This slogan has sparked debate, with some Trump supporters labeling it a threat, while others defending it as free speech.

Federal authorities have apprehended at least 10 individuals for alleged vandalism at the Reflecting Pool. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum reported seven arrests in June, including Hearn. Later, three more were charged with misdemeanors for removing blue paint from the pool.

Pirro emphasized the importance of preserving national monuments, stating acts of vandalism violate laws and hinder progress. She assured accountability for those defacing national heritage sites.