President Donald Trump acknowledged on Sunday that there was no video or proof of alleged vandalism to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, shifting his explanation to contractor error after weeks of asserting the damage was deliberate.

Trump had previously insisted that the pool's surface was intentionally destroyed by saboteurs, a narrative he promoted after ordering the pool resurfaced to have a blue American flag bottom. The alleged damage had become a focal point, with the president frequently discussing it publicly.

In a social media post on Sunday, Trump stated there was "some contractor error done by rushing the job" for a July 4th opening. He noted that contractors were working on the pool, which he described as a "very small area of this massive Pool" that was damaged and "relatively inconsequential." He also mentioned that security cameras were being installed.

The shift in explanation comes as prosecutors moved to drop charges against former Olympian David Hearn, who had pleaded not guilty to felony destruction of property in July. Hearn's legal team had presented evidence indicating the section he was accused of damaging was already in disrepair when he arrived.

Despite the acknowledgement of contractor error and lack of evidence for vandalism, Trump continued to accuse Hearn of intentional damage. Hearn's lawyers stated they were reviewing legal options, describing the government's continued accusations as "outrageous" and "harassment."

Lawyers for Hearn, including Norm Eisen of Democracy Defenders Fund and others, issued a statement on Monday. They asserted that the government was continuing to attack an innocent man and that photographic evidence submitted on July 10 proved Hearn caused no damage. They also pointed to the U.S. Attorney's own motion on July 31, which admitted the damage was caused by "a botched installation and not vandalism."

Earlier in June, Trump had told reporters he had "pictures of it" showing intentional destruction. When asked to share these photos, he demurred, suggesting they would be seen "in court" or by contacting the Parks Department and Department of Interior.

The Reflecting Pool has undergone significant work, with the president having ordered it resurfaced to achieve a specific aesthetic. The ongoing situation highlights a discrepancy between the president's initial claims and subsequent admissions regarding the cause of the damage, as well as the legal proceedings against Hearn.