特朗普政府已撤销对前奥运选手大卫·赫恩的破坏林肯纪念堂倒影池刑事指控，该指控曾面临长达10年的监禁处罚[1]。政府在法庭文件中承认，池体损伤系承包商"仓促且不当的安装"所致，而非故意破坏行为[1]。
这一项目原定预算不足200万美元，最终耗资1600万美元，系为独立日250周年庆典进行的美化工程[1]。特朗普曾公开声称倒影池遭"病态、疯狂"的破坏者毁坏，称造成"300英尺长的裂口"[1]。涉及本案的承包商由特朗普本人选定，未经常规竞争招标程序[1]。至少另有3人因破坏罪名被控，5人曾遭警方传讯，但目前尚不清楚所有指控是否均已撤销[1]。美国检察官珍妮·皮罗在提交的法庭文件中指责内政部未能提供完整信息[1]。
The Trump administration has dropped criminal charges against former Olympic athlete David Hearn, who had faced up to ten years in prison for allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C.[1] Government filings now acknowledge that damage to the pool resulted from rushed and improper installation work by contractors rather than intentional destruction.[1]
The beautification project, originally budgeted at under $2 million for the nation's 250th Independence Day celebrations, ultimately cost $16 million.[1] The contractor was selected directly by President Trump without undergoing standard competitive bidding procedures.[1] While at least three individuals faced charges related to the incident, with five others questioned by police, it remains unclear whether all charges have been withdrawn.[1] Trump had previously claimed the pool had been damaged by "sick and deranged" vandals who created a "300-foot-long crack."[1]
Court documents submitted by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro included criticism that the Department of Interior had failed to provide complete information regarding the project.[1]