Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) thinks he has an explanation for President Donald Trump’s stubborn aversion to the facts.

During a Sunday appearance on “Meet the Press,” the senator shared a theory about why he thinks the president is doubling down on his claim that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was damaged by vandals and not crumbling apart due to a rushed renovation job, as his own Justice Department admitted in a Friday court filing.

“The president says it was caused by vandals. I don’t know if he really believes that or it’s part of his political messaging or he’s just thinking out loud,” Kennedy mused to host Kristen Welker.

“He grows anxious when he has an unexpressed thought,” the senator went on.

Sen. John Kennedy on Trump's blatant reflecting pool lies: "The president says it was caused by vandals. I don't know if he really believes that or it's part of his political messaging or he's just thinking out loud ... he grows anxious when he has an unexpressed thought." pic.twitter.com/4R0ADLE7po

After indicting Olympian David Hearn with vandalism charges that could carry a 10-year sentence, the DOJ decided to reverse course in light of documents from the Interior Department and a visual inspection of the monument.

“Given all of this newly discovered information, it is difficult to attribute the widespread damage to the Reflecting Pool to vandalism, let alone to establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro wrote in court documents moving to formally dismiss the case.

Trump, however, rebuffed Pirro‘s determination, writing he “100%” disagreed with the decision in a Truth Social post. He did not provide any additional evidence to support his claim.

Following the news, Hearn’s legal team said the move to dismiss his case couldn’t be described as complete justice, noting how it could not “erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong.”

“The government’s approach was ready, fire, aim,” they said, adding that the administration owes Hearn an apology.

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