Day 2
Trump disputes the DOJ's decision to drop the Reflecting Pool vandalism case.
The Justice Department moved on Friday to dismiss a felony destruction-of-property case against David Hearn, a 67-year-old former Olympic canoeist accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. In a court filing, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said the damage was caused by a “botched” or “flawed” installation by a contractor, not vandalism. President Donald Trump criticized Pirro on Saturday, writing that he “disagreed 100%” and calling it “a pure case of VANDALISM.” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum also rejected DOJ’s assessment and said vandals were responsible.
The angles
Prosecution collapse
Leans LeftThe Justice Department’s Reflecting Pool vandalism case has collapsed after it admitted the damage was caused by faulty renovation work, not the accused canoeist. The reversal has triggered criticism of Trump administration officials for a false and bungled prosecution.
Pirro Clash
BalancedTrump is publicly criticizing Jeanine Pirro over a Reflecting Pool charging decision, suggesting she mishandled the case. The dispute is presented as another sign of friction between Trump and a high-profile appointee.
Hearn Mistreated
Leans LeftDoug Burgum and the Justice Department are portrayed as targeting a 67-year-old canoeist over the Hearn Reflecting Pool case, prompting claims that he is being mistreated and should be apologized to.
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Day 4
Trump says he may revive a compensation fund if Todd Blanche’s AG bid is blocked.
President Donald Trump said Saturday he would push hard for a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund if Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis keep blocking acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation. Cornyn and Tillis have sought written assurances that the Justice Department-backed compensation fund for people alleging targeting by the Biden and Obama administrations is dead. The Senate Judiciary Committee canceled a July 29 vote and scheduled an Aug. 4 meeting to reconsider Blanche. Trump said he could instead keep Blanche running the Justice Department in an acting capacity.
The angles
Protecting Deal
Leans LeftTrump is keeping Todd Blanche’s confirmation hostage by threatening to revive a $1.8 billion Jan. 6 payout fund unless GOP holdouts back the nomination. The dispute is framed as protecting allies and blocking the settlement deal.
Settlement Standoff
Leans LeftTodd Blanche’s confirmation is stuck because key Republican senators are demanding Justice Department assurances on a settlement/anti-weaponization fund and other terms before backing him. The delayed vote has turned the nomination into a visible intraparty standoff, with Trump weighing whether to p
Fund not dead
Left & CenterTrump has continued pushing the anti-weaponization fund, so Blanche’s claim that he killed it is incomplete; the fund is not dead and still needs to be definitively shut down.
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Police say multiple people were killed and injured in a Twin Falls restaurant shooting.
At least three people, including the suspected gunman, were killed and at least two others were injured in a shooting near an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, authorities said. The shooting was reported around 2:30 p.m. local time in a busy commercial area, prompting road and business closures and shelter-in-place orders. Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said the shooter was dead, the orders had been lifted, and authorities believed the threat to the community was over. Officials had not released the shooter’s identity or motive.
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