President Trump now admits that rushing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation caused a "contractor error", but he is not backing down from his claim that former Olympic canoeist David Hearn vandalized the pool in broad daylight. Trump posted on Truth Social Sunday night, acknowledging for the first time that the $16 million renovation he […] The post Trump concedes contractor error in Reflecting Pool renovation but insists vandalism still occurred appeared first on American Almanac .
President Trump now admits that rushing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation caused a "contractor error", but he is not backing down from his claim that former Olympic canoeist David Hearn vandalized the pool in broad daylight. Trump posted on Truth Social Sunday night, acknowledging for the first time that the $16 million renovation he ordered was partly botched by the firm hired to repaint and waterproof the pool's concrete floor ahead of Independence Day 2026. The admission came days after his own Justice Department moved to dismiss felony property destruction charges against Hearn, a 67-year-old three-time Olympian from Bethesda, Maryland, after prosecutors concluded the damage resulted from a flawed installation, not…Open
Federal prosecutors heading into an October retrial say the man accused of igniting the 2025 Palisades Fire, the third most destructive wildfire in California history, was motivated by deep-seated hatred of the rich and a desire for "societal revenge." Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 29-year-old former Uber driver and U.S.-French dual national, faces up to 45 years […] The post Prosecutors say Palisades Fire suspect was driven by anti-capitalist rage and resentment of the wealthy appeared first on American Almanac .
Federal prosecutors heading into an October retrial say the man accused of igniting the 2025 Palisades Fire, the third most destructive wildfire in California history, was motivated by deep-seated hatred of the rich and a desire for "societal revenge." Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 29-year-old former Uber driver and U.S.-French dual national, faces up to 45 years in prison on three federal charges: destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and timber set afire. He has pleaded not guilty. His first trial ended in a mistrial in June after jurors deadlocked 10-2 in favor of acquittal following 14 hours of deliberation. A retrial is set to begin October 19, 2026, before U.S. District Court…Open
A 37-year-old Spokane man is facing formal arson charges after allegedly confessing to starting dozens of wildfires over a year-long period, culminating in a massive 3,200-acre blaze that has destroyed hundreds of structures so far.
An 18-month investigation by the Los Angeles County Fire Department has pinpointed an electrical spark from a Southern California Edison transmission tower, one that wasn't even in service, as the cause of the Eaton Fire, a blaze that killed 19 people and leveled more than 9,000 buildings. Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone released the findings […] The post LA County investigators blame Edison's idle transmission tower for Eaton Fire that killed 19 appeared first on American Almanac .
An 18-month investigation by the Los Angeles County Fire Department has pinpointed an electrical spark from a Southern California Edison transmission tower, one that wasn't even in service, as the cause of the Eaton Fire, a blaze that killed 19 people and leveled more than 9,000 buildings. Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone released the findings after investigators reviewed physical evidence, witness accounts, and multiple videos tracing the fire's origin to Eaton Canyon in the Altadena foothills. The report concluded that electrical arcing from a tower on Edison's inactive Mesa-Sylmar transmission line ignited dry vegetation beneath the structure on January 7, 2025, as powerful Santa Ana winds drove the flames into surrounding neighborhoods.…Open
State of the Union: They are members of an apparent antifa cell. The post DOJ Charges Fifteen with Anti-ICE Crimes in Minnesota appeared first on The American Conservative .
The Department of Justice charged fifteen antifa-related protestors with conspiracy to impede federal law enforcement and other crimes during demonstrations earlier this year against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), officials announced on Tuesday. U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Daniel Rosen accused the demonstrators of engaging in crimes that “violently oppose immigration law enforcement.” The indictment alleges that members of Twin Cities Direct Action, which was later renamed to Direct Action Minnesota, engaged in a concerted effort to interfere with ICE and Border Patrol’s operations. They were additionally charged with solicitation of violence, stalking, and property destruction, among other crimes. In December 2025,…Open