Engineer Warned of Reflecting Pool Issue Before Charges Filed

In early June, an engineer from the U.S. National Park Service alerted the Trump administration about issues with the floor of the Lincoln Reflecting Pool. The renovation process and materials used were causing the floor to peel, according to court filings revealed on Wednesday.

Despite this warning, President Donald Trump accused individuals of vandalism when the pool reopened to the public. Former Olympian canoeist David Hearn was charged with property destruction during a June 19 visit to the site.

The Park Service engineer highlighted the peeling problem in an email sent on June 11. This information was included in a court filing by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which admitted a lack of documentation from the Interior Department regarding installation issues at the time of Hearn’s charge. The engineer noted that the top liner layer was thin and would not impact overall strength.

The contractor explained that the peel was overspray from applying polyurea to the perimeter joint. The engineer warned that this could create a strip prone to peeling and sent this information to Interior Department and Park Service staff.

The statements raise doubts about the defendant’s role in the damage. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Spence noted the engineer’s report indicated the problem was overspray, which had no significant value. This information came to prosecutors weeks after Hearn’s indictment.

Spence argued that documents detailing blistering and peeling would undermine the government’s case against Hearn. On July 31, U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Jeanine Pirro, dropped the case. Newly obtained documents showed the damage resulted from flawed installation by Atlantic Industrial Coatings.

Trump criticized Pirro, claiming she erred in dismissing the charges and maintained that vandalism occurred. Hearn’s attorneys seek to block further prosecution attempts, citing political motivations.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has asked a superior court judge to dismiss the case without prejudice, leaving the possibility of refiling charges open.