• Updated

A judge in Washington has agreed to permanently dismiss a criminal case charging a former Olympian with vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The decision could prevent federal prosecutors from reviving David Hearn’s case under political pressure from President Donald Trump. D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Thursday ordered the dismissal of Hearn’s case with “prejudice,” which would block U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office from refiling it. Hearn’s lawyers say Trump administration officials have continued to falsely accuse the Maryland resident of vandalizing the reflecting pool despite Pirro’s decision to drop the case.