Lincoln Memorial – Trump cites new witness account while acknowledging contractor errors
Lincoln Memorial – New witness testimony has intensified the dispute over damage at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, with US President Donald Trump renewing allegations of vandalism while also acknowledging that mistakes during the pool’s installation contributed to some of the problems.
Trump raised the issue Sunday in a post on Truth Social, referring to testimony that a National Park Service employee reportedly gave to the US Attorney’s Office in early July. According to the account cited by Trump, a longtime NPS employee saw former Olympic athlete David Hearn pull and tear at a newly applied blue coating inside the historic pool.
Witness account cited by Trump
The statement referenced by Trump alleges that Hearn approached two National Park Service employees who were working inside the pool and used his phone to take pictures or record video of damage that was already visible.
The court document identified the employees as W-1 and W-2. It said W-1 saw Hearn kneel down, put both hands beneath the water and begin pulling forcefully at a substantial section of the pool’s blue coating.
The employee reportedly instructed Hearn to stop. According to the document, Hearn responded that NPS staff were being overly sensitive about the pool and continued pulling at the lining. The incident allegedly continued until National Guard personnel arrived.
Trump has used the account to support his earlier claims that the landmark suffered deliberate damage. He also connected Hearn with the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue, while pointing to another alleged incident involving the grounds around the pool.
Other damage allegations remain disputed
Trump referred to claims that an acid-like substance had been used to mark the numbers “86 47” into newly installed grass near the basin. He suggested the phrase was connected to former FBI Director James Comey.
However, Trump also acknowledged that there was no direct video recording proving the alleged vandalism. His latest comments therefore combine the witness account with his broader allegations about damage at the memorial.
At the same time, the president conceded that installation problems had played a role in the condition of the pool. He attributed some of the defects to contractors working under pressure to finish the project ahead of July 4 celebrations.
Contractor problems emerge in case
Trump described the contractor-related damage as limited compared with the size of the Reflecting Pool and said new security cameras had been installed. He also indicated that the landmark was expected to reopen soon.
The admission comes as prosecutors have faced questions over the evidence used in the case against Hearn. Hearn was indicted on July 2 on a felony property-destruction charge after US Park Police alleged that he grabbed and pulled a loose portion of the pool’s coating on June 19.
Authorities initially estimated that the damage exceeded $1,000. Prosecutors later said the Department of the Interior had supplied only limited reports before the indictment was sought.
Prosecutors seek dismissal of charges
According to prosecutors, additional records received after the indictment showed that some of the damage was linked to faulty installation work carried out by contractor Atlantic Industrial Coatings. The work had reportedly been completed under a tight schedule before events marking America’s 250th anniversary.
With that information available, prosecutors said it would be difficult to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Hearn was responsible for all of the damage described in the indictment.
The government consequently asked the court to dismiss the case without prejudice. That decision leaves open the possibility of bringing charges again if additional evidence emerges.
Trump’s latest comments followed his recent call for US Attorney Jeanine Pirro to reconsider the matter after prosecutors dropped the charge against Hearn.