Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney in Washington, blamed shoddy construction for the dropping reflecting pool incident, contradicting President Trump's pet theory. Mr. Trump said he disagreed "100%" with her assessment. The dispute centers around the cause of the pool's structural issues, with Pirro pointing to poor building practices rather than the theories favored by the president. The reflecting pool, located on the National Mall, has been a prominent feature near the White House.

The disagreement highlights tensions between law enforcement officials and the administration's preferred narratives. Trump's public disagreement with his own appointee underscores the political dimensions of the investigation. The pool was installed decades ago and has faced maintenance challenges.

Officials have been working to address the structural concerns while the debate over responsibility continues. The incident has drawn attention to infrastructure issues at National Mall landmarks.