Engineer Warned About Lincoln Reflecting Pool Issues Before Accusations

A U.S. National Park Service engineer alerted the Trump administration about issues with the Lincoln Reflecting Pool’s floor in early June. Court filings on Wednesday showed the concerns stemmed from the renovation process and materials used, while President Donald Trump blamed others for damaging the pool when it reopened.

Former Olympian canoeist David Hearn faced charges of property destruction on June 19. An email from June 11, sent by the engineer to the administration, highlighted peeling problems. The U.S. Attorney’s Office included this email in their filings.

Prosecutors admitted they lacked or didn’t possess documentation about installation problems when charging Hearn. The engineer’s email mentioned a peeled top liner layer, deemed thin and unlikely to affect the liner’s strength. It also detailed that overspray from perimeter joint work caused the peeling, as per the contractor’s report.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Spence noted these revelations raised doubts about Hearn’s responsibility. The newfound evidence weakened the prosecution’s case. Consequently, on July 31, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Jeanine Pirro, dropped the charges against Hearn. The office cited revelations including those from the Interior Department that indicated contractor installation flaws by Atlantic Industrial Coatings caused the damage.

Despite this, Trump criticized Pirro for withdrawing the charges, maintaining that vandalism occurred. Hearn’s legal team aims to block any future prosecution attempts, labeling it politically motivated.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office requested a case dismissal without prejudice, allowing for potential future charges against Hearn.