Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, has indicated that ABC journalist Jonathan Karl could potentially face criminal charges for his actions at the Lincoln Memorial's Reflecting Pool. The comments came during a Fox News interview on Sunday, where anchor Peter Doocy asked if Karl might be "in trouble" for tugging at a piece of loose paint during a segment on the pool's troubled renovation.
"It depends," Pirro responded. "Anyone who is in position of vandalizing or attempting to vandalize the Reflecting Pool will face the criminal justice system in D.C. Look, the president had made it a priority to make D.C. not only safe, but beautiful, and there are several citations that have been handed out to individuals. And these are cases that will be prosecuted to the full extent."
Pirro's Warning and Potential Charges
Pirro elaborated on the possibility of escalating consequences, stating, "If there are more serious products that are put into the Reflecting Pool to create more algae or a bigger problem, then we’ll consider more serious charges. But make no mistake, making D.C. beautiful is a priority. And if you damage, vandalize, or do anything to impact something like the Reflecting Pool, you can be prosecuted."
Her remarks align with President Donald Trump's ongoing criticism of Karl, whom Trump labeled a "Lightweight ABC Reporter" in a Friday post on his Truth Social platform. Trump accused Karl of "sticking his hand into the Pool, and trying to rip the rubber off of the surface." This was in response to an ABC News segment where Karl visited the pool and demonstrated how the paint was peeling, highlighting issues with the $14.7 million renovation project that Trump had declared complete on June 6.
Background on the Reflecting Pool Renovation
The Trump administration has faced significant backlash over the Reflecting Pool renovations, one of several projects spearheaded by the president around the capital in anticipation of the nation’s 250th anniversary. After the pool was refilled following a repainting to a color Trump described as "American flag blue," the water quickly turned green due to an algae bloom. Some experts suggest the new paint may have exacerbated the problem.
Last week, the National Park Service was observed deploying hydrogen peroxide—a chemical commonly used in spas and natural swimming pools—into the water to combat the algae growth. Around the same time, numerous visitors reported noticing visibly peeling paint on the pool's surface.
Trump's Response and Vandalism Claims
In response to the criticism, Trump has attempted to shift focus, arguing on Truth Social that the site has recently faced "real problems with vandalism." On Sunday, he doubled down on these claims while pledging to "fix" the pool, though he offered no specific details. "Work will begin immediately on fixing the seriously vandalized Reflecting Pool," he wrote. "I just inspected it, and could only say to myself, and those gathered around me, WOW, who would do such a thing? SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE!"
The situation remains contentious, with Pirro's threat of legal action against Karl adding a new dimension to the ongoing controversy over the pool's condition and the administration's handling of the renovation project.
