PoliticsJeanine Pirro Brought Evidence Box to Donald Trump in Reflecting Pool Showdown: Report
Jeanine Pirro reportedly brought evidence to the Oval Office to defend dropping charges in the Reflecting Pool case.
Aug. 9 2026, Published 6:33 a.m. ET
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro reportedly arrived at the White House with props on August 3, ready to defend her decision to drop Reflecting Pool vandalism charges.
Pirro brought a box of evidence to the Oval Office in an effort to show President Donald Trump that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool came from flawed construction work rather than vandalism, CBS News reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The meeting became heated as Pirro clashed with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who had pushed the vandalism narrative. The dispute followed Pirro’s decision to drop a felony property destruction charge against Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who had been accused of damaging the pool liner.
A Botched Case Reaches the Oval Office
Prosecutors said construction flaws, not vandalism, caused damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Hearn had faced up to 10 years in prison if convicted. But in a July 31 motion, Pirro’s office said information later produced by the Interior Department showed the liner had already been damaged before Hearn visited the pool June 19.
Prosecutors said the damage was caused by a contractor’s “botched installation,” not vandalism. They also noted damage throughout the pool, including in the middle, where “a vandal would not likely attempt to peel the lining.”
Pirro’s office has since moved to dismiss charges against three others accused of vandalizing the Reflecting Pool.
Jeanine Pirro and Doug Burgum Clash
Jeanine Pirro and Doug Burgum reportedly clashed over the vandalism claims.
According to The New York Times, Pirro privately called Burgum an “incompetent liar” and accused him of failing to provide key information before Hearn was indicted.
During the August 3 meeting, Pirro reportedly accused Burgum of misleading Trump about the cause of the damage and of pushing a vandalism explanation to cover for the contractor’s flawed work.
Burgum has defended his department’s position. “The evidence is clear, vandals have repeatedly caused damage to the Reflecting Pool,” he wrote on X.
- Donald Trump and Jeanine Pirro's Reflecting Pool Feud Raises Bigger Question About 'Who Takes the Fall,' Expert Claims
- Donald Trump Refuses to Answer If Jeanine Pirro's Job Is Safe After Reflecting Pool Drama
- Donald Trump Will Let Jeanine Pirro 'Suffer' and 'Make Her Life as Difficult as Possible' After Reflecting Pool Blunder, Claims CNN Star
Want OK! each day? Sign up here!
Donald Trump Leaves Jeanine Pirro’s Future Unclear
Donald Trump later said he remained unhappy with Jeanine Pirro's decision.
Trump had publicly rebuked Pirro before the meeting, accusing her of “folding like an umbrella” and suggesting she had “choked.”
By the end of the meeting, however, Trump appeared “considerably less angry,” according to sources who spoke to the Times.
Donald Trump said he had not decided whether to remove Jeanine Pirro.
Still, he did not fully back off the vandalism claim. On Tuesday, Trump told reporters Pirro was “totally wrong” and said, “It was actually, in my opinion, it was major vandalism, and I told her I was not happy.”
Asked whether he would fire Pirro, Trump said, “I haven’t made a determination.”
