President Trump said Tuesday he has not yet decided whether to keep Jeanine Pirro as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, after she moved to drop charges against former Olympian David Hearn for allegedly damaging the Reflecting Pool.
"I haven't made a determination," Trump told reporters Tuesday evening, when asked about Pirro's future.
Hearn was indicted by a grand jury in Washington last month on a felony destruction of property charge, which carried a potential 10-year prison sentence. Pirro had alleged that Hearn "ripped a piece of recently installed sealant on the bottom of the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial."
But last week, Pirro announced the charges would be dropped, instead blaming contractors responsible for the Reflecting Pool installation, saying "over spraying and delamination" caused the damage.
Pirro's break with Trump on the matter is significant. The two have known each other for decades, and before becoming U.S. attorney, Pirro regularly defended Trump on her Fox News show.
Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum quickly pushed back on social media, with Trump posting on TruthSocial and Burgum on X. On Monday, Trump delivered his sharpest criticism of Pirro in the Oval Office, saying she "folded like an umbrella."
"The judge was extremely unfriendly to Jeanine, and frankly, I think she choked because the judge was really vicious," Trump said. "Instead of going after the people that did it, the judge went after her and went after her department. And I guess she choked. I don't know what the hell happened."
Pirro was later seen entering the White House on Monday, but her status remains unclear. The situation adds to a series of political tensions for the administration, as Trump has recently signaled possible deals on international fronts and faced internal challenges, including warnings to allies about reelection prospects.
Trump's decision on Pirro could have broader implications for his relationship with the Justice Department and his base, as he has often criticized federal prosecutors for being too lenient. The case has also drawn attention to the condition of the Reflecting Pool, a prominent symbol on the National Mall.
As the president weighs Pirro's fate, political observers are watching whether this incident will affect his standing with conservative supporters who have long admired Pirro's tough-on-crime stance. Some see the episode as a test of loyalty, while others view it as a minor bureaucratic dispute.
