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Justice Department Dismisses Ryan Hearn Felony Charges

8/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

White House officials met with the Justice Department’s Criminal Division last week to explore a misdemeanor prosecution of Olympian Ryan Hearn that would avoid a grand jury indictment, with no decision made.
U.S. attorney Jeanine Pirro had earlier charged Hearn with felony destruction of property for damaging sealant in the Reflecting Pool.
Justice Department moved to dismiss those charges this month, citing damage from a botched installation.

History

Historical Context

The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, first took effect in 1946 after the 1940 Sumners Courts Act gave the Attorney General a role in amending the rules, let prosecutors end cases before a grand-jury indictment. This procedural flexibility, rooted in the post-World-War II push for uniform federal criminal rules, underlies today’s DOJ discussions about dismissing a misdemeanor charge against Olympian Ryan Hearn.

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Story summary

White House officials met with the Justice Department’s Criminal Division last week to explore a misdemeanor prosecution of Olympian Ryan Hearn that would avoid a grand jury indictment, with no decision made.
U.S. attorney Jeanine Pirro had earlier charged Hearn with felony destruction of property for damaging sealant in the Reflecting Pool.
Justice Department moved to dismiss those charges this month, citing damage from a botched installation.

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