A judge on Thursday dismissed a felony charge against a former Olympian over allegations he purposely vandalized the Lincoln Memorial's Reflecting Pool, but deferred a decision on whether the charge can be brought again with new evidence.

Judge Todd Edelman of the Superior Court in Washington approved the Justice Department's request to drop the vandalism charge against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn in a two-page order, according to the New York Times.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro's office moved last week to drop the charge against Hearn, whom they accused of vandalizing the Reflecting Pool outside the Lincoln Memorial, claiming that new information has since indicated that damage to the pool was the result of a rushed job.

The court filing, which Pirro claimed was filed by her office and not her personally, stated that she would not have sought a grand jury indictment against Hearns if the Department of the Interior was more forthcoming. 

“This whole thing has been really surreal and absurd,” Hearn told CNN. “I think a lot of people feel that way. Again, it’s a relief, but there’s a detachment to that relief of extreme concern for other people and for our country.”

Hearn was one of seven people who faced charges in what the administration said were efforts to sabotage the renovation project. Hearn pleaded not guilty to a charge of destruction of property, the only felony charge among the seven suspects, last month.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.