The government can't revive Hearn's Reflecting Pool vandalism charges, a judge rules
A federal judge has dismissed vandalism charges against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, ruling that the prosecution was influenced by improper political pressure from the President. The court confirmed that damage to the Reflecting Pool was caused by faulty installation rather than criminal activity.
Why it matters
The ruling underscores the importance of judicial independence and the dangers of executive interference in the justice system.
A judge has dismissed with prejudice the government's vandalism charges against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn. That means federal prosecutors cannot refile them in the future, despite President Trump's public demands to do so.
In fact, as D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman explained in a 26-page ruling released Thursday, the case should be permanently closed in large part because of the "political pressure brought by the President of the United States upon his subordinate officers."
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in