Trump’s DOJ henchman has strong warning for Jeanine Pirro after crossing the president
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche refused to guarantee that Jeanine Pirro will keep her job, pointedly noting that President Trump has the power to fire any US attorney, after Trump publicly criticised Pirro for dropping charges against protesters accused of vandalising the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. The row erupted after Trump learned that Pirro's office had withdrawn the charges, accusing her of having "choked" and "folded like an umbrella", though Blanche also praised her as doing a "phenomenal job", reflecting the tension within the administration over the case.
Seven people were arrested in June after being seen near the reflecting pool, part of a $16 million restoration project Trump championed ahead of America's 250th anniversary, when sections of its new liner peeled up shortly after completion. Trump insisted the damage was deliberate vandalism, but a 20-page government court filing released Friday concluded it was more likely caused by a botched installation, prompting Pirro to drop the charges. Pirro reportedly met Trump at the White House with a box of evidence to defend her decision and emerged with her job intact, while Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer, is himself awaiting a Senate vote as soon as Friday on his nomination to become permanent Attorney General.
In short
- Blanche won't guarantee Pirro's job after she dropped protester charges.
- Trump accused Pirro of "folding" over the Lincoln Memorial pool case.
- Government filing found pool damage likely from botched installation, not vandalism.
Explained simply
Jeanine Pirro is the senior federal prosecutor for Washington, DC, and Todd Blanche is the acting head of the US Justice Department. US attorneys oversee federal prosecutions in their areas, but the president can dismiss them.
The case centres on damage to the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, which was being restored ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary. Seven people were arrested after being seen near the pool, but a government report said the damage was more likely caused by faulty installation than deliberate vandalism, and Pirro’s office dropped the charges.
The dispute matters because it has brought the independence of federal prosecutors into view: Pirro’s decision followed evidence in a court filing, while Trump publicly objected to it. Blanche’s comments came as the Senate was considering whether to confirm him as permanent attorney general.