Key facts
- Donald Trump has not decided on the fate of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
- Pirro's office dismissed vandalism charges against David Hearn, citing faulty contractor installation.
- Trump publicly criticized Pirro, stating he disagreed with her decision and believed she "choked."
- A contentious meeting occurred between Trump and Pirro in the Oval Office.
- Reports indicate Trump is considering removing Pirro from her post.
President Donald Trump has not yet determined the future of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who is facing uncertainty after a contentious Oval Office meeting regarding the dismissal of vandalism charges. Pirro's office dropped the charges against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who had been accused of damaging the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool.
Prosecutors stated that newly obtained Interior Department documents indicated the damage was a result of a faulty contractor installation rather than intentional vandalism. However, Trump publicly disagreed with this assessment, expressing disappointment and stating on Truth Social that he believed it was a "pure case of VANDALISM." He also told reporters that Pirro "choked" under pressure from the judge overseeing the case.
Sources familiar with the matter suggest Trump is "furious" with Pirro and is considering removing her from her post, with some indicating it is "highly likely" she will be removed. A senior administration official also stated that Trump was "blindsided" by Pirro's decision and was unaware of her plans beforehand.
Pirro's office noted that it only received documents from the interior department after the indictment was returned, which showed the pool was already damaged before Hearn's alleged actions. These documents indicated a rushed and flawed installation process. Prediction markets are increasingly betting on Pirro's departure, with high odds placed on her announcing her resignation as D.C.'s top federal prosecutor.