The Truth Behind the Reflecting Pool Damage: Faulty Repairs, Not Vandalism
President Donald Trump has been attributing damage to the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., to vandalism, despite the Justice Department withdrawing charges against individuals accused of intentionally damaging the landmark. The department cited evidence from the Interior Department that faulty repairs, not vandalism, caused the peeling on the pool's liner. Trump criticized the Justice Department for dropping the case and continued to claim vandalism, even though federal prosecutors dropped misdemeanor charges related to vandalism against three other individuals. The evidence reviewed by the Justice Department points to flawed installation as the cause of the damage, not vandalism. The case against the accused Olympic canoeist, David Hearn, is pending dismissal, and the charges could be brought again if new evidence emerges. Trump's assertion of vandalism is contradicted by the details presented in the Justice Department's motion seeking dismissal of the charges.