Blanche defends Jeanine Pirro after Trump slams Lincoln Memorial pool case

US Attorney General Todd Blanche has thrown his support behind Washington, DC, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro after President Donald Trump publicly criticized her handling of a controversial vandalism case involving the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Blanche said Sunday that Pirro continues to have Trump's backing despite the president's frustration over her decision to seek the dismissal of charges against former US Olympian David Hearn and others accused of vandalizing the iconic Washington landmark.

“I absolutely support U.S. Attorney Pirro, as does President Trump,” Blanche said during an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press.


The dispute has placed the Trump administration's Justice Department in an unusual position, with the president questioning the decision of one of his own top federal prosecutors while the attorney general insists she should not be judged on a single case.

Why Trump Was Angry Over the Pool Case

The controversy centres on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which underwent a roughly $14.7 million renovation that was fast-tracked ahead of Fourth of July celebrations.

But within weeks of the work being completed, problems emerged. An algae bloom appeared in the pool, while material along its bottom began peeling away.

Federal authorities subsequently accused Hearn and others of vandalism.

The case took a dramatic turn when Pirro filed court papers seeking to have the charges against Hearn dismissed. In the filing, she argued that the damage being attributed to vandalism was linked, at least in part, to flawed work by a contractor.

Pirro also alleged that the Interior Department had initially provided prosecutors with incomplete information about the condition of the pool.

That explanation did not sit well with Trump.

The president said Pirro should reconsider what he described as her “hastily made decision” to drop the case.

Blanche Says Evidence Is the Key Issue

Blanche defended Pirro while acknowledging why Trump was frustrated.

The attorney general pointed to a witness who said they had seen vandalism, but stressed that an allegation or eyewitness account alone does not necessarily provide enough evidence to secure a prosecution.

“That's different than whether ultimately we have the proof,” Blanche said.

He argued that criticizing Pirro based on the outcome of one prosecution was unfair, particularly when prosecutors have to assess whether the available evidence can support a case in court.

“I think judging her on a single case because of the evidence that we had is not fair,” he added.

The comments offer a notable defence of Pirro at a time when the Justice Department is facing pressure over its handling of a case that has drawn direct attention from the president.

White House Wants Vandalism Case Reexamined

The dispute may not be finished.

The White House has asked the Justice Department to examine whether additional charges could be brought in connection with the alleged vandalism at the Reflecting Pool.

That request leaves open the possibility that the government could pursue the matter again if investigators uncover evidence that supports further prosecution.

Blanche also sought to make clear that Pirro's decision in the case should not be interpreted as a broader retreat from the administration's approach to vandalism and public property.

“U.S. Attorney Pirro is doing a phenomenal job enforcing that, going after anybody who's doing it,” he said.

Trump’s Attorney General Faces Questions Over Independence

The Reflecting Pool controversy comes just weeks after Blanche became Trump's attorney general.

He was narrowly confirmed by Senate Republicans earlier this month after some senators from both parties raised concerns about whether he would maintain sufficient independence from the White House.

Those questions resurfaced during his Sunday television appearance.

Asked whether he would pledge that the Justice Department would operate independently of the White House, Blanche gave a direct answer: “No, I'm not going to pledge that.”

He nevertheless said he intended to perform his duties with integrity and promised to pursue prosecutions “without fear or any sort of favor.”

His response is likely to draw further attention because the Reflecting Pool case has already highlighted the tension between presidential expectations and prosecutorial decisions.

A Rare Clash Inside Trump’s Justice Department

The episode has created an unusual spectacle: Trump has publicly questioned a decision made by a prosecutor he appointed, while his attorney general has defended that prosecutor and argued that the available evidence must ultimately determine whether a case moves forward.

At the same time, the White House has asked the Justice Department to investigate whether the alleged vandalism warrants new charges.

For now, Blanche's message is that Pirro retains the administration's confidence, even as Trump remains dissatisfied with how the Reflecting Pool case was handled.

The controversy also comes at a significant moment for Blanche, who is still establishing his leadership of the Justice Department after a closely watched confirmation process.

Whether the White House's request produces new evidence or charges could determine the next chapter in the unusual legal fight over one of Washington's most recognizable landmarks.

(With Reuters inputs)