Jeanine Pirro Stuns D.C. — Mass Arrests of Lincoln Pool Vandals

“They’ll be prosecuted..."

It didn’t take long.

Almost as soon as President Donald Trump’s renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool became the latest obsession of legacy media outlets and activist groups, the vandalism began.

Now federal officials say the damage is no longer just a political controversy. It’s a criminal investigation.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that seven people have been arrested in connection with acts of vandalism targeting the newly renovated Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.

Speaking with Fox News, Burgum revealed that authorities have responded to 18 police reports and related incidents involving damage or attempted damage to the historic landmark.

“They’ll be prosecuted,” Burgum said of those arrested.

According to federal officials, one of the most serious incidents involved someone cutting through the pool’s protective liner with what investigators believe was a knife or razor blade.

A senior National Park Service official said the vandalism damaged the foam sealant beneath the liner, requiring repairs after the Independence Day celebrations.

To prevent additional incidents, fencing has now been erected around the Reflecting Pool.

Burgum explained that barriers were already scheduled to be installed ahead of the July 4 fireworks celebration, but officials accelerated the timeline after repeated acts of vandalism.

Following the holiday, the National Park Service plans to drain the pool and complete repairs.

Several preservation groups filed legal challenges attempting to stop the renovation, arguing the new appearance altered the historic character of the memorial.

At the same time, television networks devoted extensive coverage to the project, with critics focusing on the pool’s appearance while supporters argued the administration was simply restoring a neglected national landmark.

Supporters of the renovation have accused much of the media of obsessing over cosmetic changes while giving comparatively little attention to violent crime, illegal immigration, or other public safety issues affecting the nation’s capital.

The vandalism investigation has now added another chapter to the controversy.

Federal prosecutors are also pursuing charges against former Olympian David Hearn, who has been accused of causing significant damage to the Reflecting Pool.

During a recent press conference, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro defended the government’s case after reporters questioned the extent of the alleged damage.

“We can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he caused damage,” Pirro said.

“And that damage is over $1,000.”

When pressed by reporters about how prosecutors calculated the damage estimate, Pirro replied simply, “With an expert. Come to the trial.”

As reporters continued asking whether portions of the damage may have existed before the incident, Pirro repeatedly responded with the same answer.

“He damaged it,” said. “He damaged this pool.”

The criminal cases are expected to move forward in federal court while investigators continue examining the remaining incidents reported by the National Park Service.