DOJ blames botched renovation for Reflecting Pool damage, not vandals

The DOJ moved to dismiss charges against former Olympian David Hearn over vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, saying newly disclosed information shows the pool’s blue lining was installed hastily and did not bond properly, causing widespread damage rather than vandalism. The Interior Department is criticized for not sharing relevant information earlier, and Trump had publicly blamed vandals for the damage. The findings underscore a botched renovation project that overran budget and schedule.