The Trump administration has moved to dismiss legal charges against David Hearn, who had been accused of causing damage to the Reflecting Pool. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, an appointee of the Trump administration, confirmed the decision to drop the case after a review of the evidence.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, the primary issue involving the peeling sealant at the Reflecting Pool has been reclassified as a maintenance failure. Officials now state that the damage was the result of a "botched installation" rather than the intentional actions of an individual. By acknowledging that the structural degradation was caused by poor workmanship during the initial construction or repair phase, the government has effectively removed the basis for the criminal charges previously filed against Hearn. This development marks a significant shift in the government's handling of the case, moving away from a punitive approach toward an acknowledgment of technical oversight.