President Trump has publicly challenged the Justice Department’s handling of a case involving damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, releasing video he claims demonstrates vandalism by individuals.

The extraordinary public break came after U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office moved Friday to dismiss the felony prosecution against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn. President Trump called out Pirro by name Saturday and stated he disagreed with her “100%,” acknowledging contractor issues but insisting vandals caused the major damage.

Pirro’s 20-page filing, based on newly available Interior Department records, pointed to a flawed contractor installation and a rushed schedule ahead of the America 250 Independence Day celebrations. A subsequent inspection found peeling and widespread damage throughout the pool, including an area where prosecutors concluded a vandal would be unlikely to stand and pull up the liner.

The filing stated that new evidence made it difficult to attribute the damage to vandalism or prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Hearn committed the property destruction charge—a felony carrying a potential 10-year sentence. Prosecutors had previously alleged Hearn pulled up recently installed material with both hands, causing over $1,000 in damages.

Pirro initially described the case as backed by “tremendous evidence,” but her office now says the government’s fuller record cannot sustain the prosecution. Trump’s objection extends beyond Hearn to include visible vandalism such as an “86 47” carving and other damage around the memorial, which he claims was caused by individuals rather than contractor issues.

The president posted footage he asserts shows a person cutting the pool material with a knife or box cutter. This video does not directly address Hearn’s case but highlights ongoing damage that requires further investigation.

Jeanine Pirro says the evidence no longer supports this prosecution, while President Trump claims the government is ignoring vandalism Americans can see with their own eyes. Someone must reconcile those two positions—and do it with evidence, not another press release.