US President Donald Trump’s renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has gone beyond his vision of refurbishing a site of national pride to perfection. In the past month, the reflecting pool has become yet another tool for Trump to exact political retribution against those standing in his way.

When the US$16 million (A$22 million) job was completed in time for the July 4 celebrations of America’s 250th birthday, it was clear something was amiss.

The algae that had long plagued the pool had returned. And the sealant covering the bottom of the pool immediately began peeling.

Trump attributed the damage to vandals, and one man, David Hearn, a former Olympian, was arrested after he put his hand into the pool and examined a piece of coating that had become detached from the floor.

The Trump-appointed US attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News presenter, opened a full investigation. Hearn was promptly indicted for destruction of property.

Late last week, however, the case was turned on its head when Pirro moved to dismiss the charges against Hearn. Her filing stated the damage to the pool was not due to vandalism, but a “botched installation” by the contractor in a rush to complete the project before the anniversary celebration.

Trump went ballistic, accusing Pirro of “folding like an umbrella”. But the prosecutor was undeterred. This week, she dropped the charges against three other defendants accused of vandalising the pool.

And at a........

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