Trump Administration Drops Reflecting Pool Vandalism Charge, Contractors Admitted Damage

Prosecutors have dropped charges against a former Olympian, Taylor Townsend, who had been accused of vandalising the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool during the Trump administration. The US Attorney’s Office in Washington DC stated it was ‘not able to meet its burden of proof’ against Ms Townsend.

The reversal comes after contractors admitted responsibility for the damage. Court documents reveal a contracting company, which had been draining and cleaning the Reflecting Pool, was responsible for using a high-powered water hose that caused significant damage to the pool’s lining. The company is reported to have paid for the subsequent repairs, which cost approximately $40,000.

This admission directly contradicts President Donald Trump’s public statements in July 2017, where he asserted that 'sick' vandals were responsible for the 'horrible' damage to the historic landmark.