Former Olympic Athlete Indicted in Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Vandalism Case]
The Trump administration has announced felony charges against a former Olympic athlete for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C.
At a press conference on Thursday, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro accused 67-year-old professional canoeist David Hearn of deliberately vandalizing the memorial site.
“Today, a grand jury has returned a felony indictment against a defendant, David Hearn, for felony destruction of property, for which he faces 10 years in prison,” Pirro, a Trump appointee, said.
She characterized the damage to national monuments as “one of the most offensive images” she has witnessed, stating that the destruction and subsequent civil disorder constitute criminal behavior and represent affronts to the dignity of shared history.
Hearn has denied any wrongdoing, telling media outlets that he was simply curious about the Reflecting Pool during his June 19 visit, like many Americans.
The Reflecting Pool was part of a renovation project initiated by Trump in April as part of a broader initiative to reshape Washington, D.C., through construction and maintenance efforts.
Trump awarded a no-bid contract to resurface the granite pool with a color he dubbed “American flag blue.” However, the pool quickly experienced an algae bloom and peeling paint from its bottom shortly after reopening in early June.
Faced with criticism over the $13.1 million renovation contract, Trump attributed the problems to vandalism.
At least seven individuals, including Hearn, have been arrested on allegations of damaging the pool’s blue-painted surface.
Hearn maintains his innocence, claiming he was cycling by when he stopped to examine the peeling paint and reached into the water to feel it, denying any removal of pool material.
Pirro presented a contrasting account, alleging that National Park Service employees observed Hearn “forcefully and violently pulling up and removing the bottom liner with both hands,” causing approximately 2 square feet of sealant damage.
“A parks employee actually told Hearn to stop his behavior and stop what he was doing,” Pirro alleged. “Hearn reacted by shouting at that parks employee.”
When questioned about whether the felony charge was disproportionately severe compared to misdemeanor offenses in similar cases, Pirro defended the decision, citing damage exceeding $1,000 as justification for the felony classification.
She declined to address comparisons with the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, noting that nearly all Trump supporters involved were pardoned on the first day of his second term.
A hearing in Hearn’s case is scheduled for July 9.
Preparations for July 4 fireworks displays began at the Reflecting Pool, with large nets installed across the structure to catch debris that could fall into the pool during the show. The site remains fenced off to visitors.
Brian Williams, a 31-year-old from Roscoe, Georgia, praised Trump’s beautification efforts, noting that algae is normal for pools with still water during summertime.
“I don’t think people have any business vandalizing anything,” Williams added. “If you have concerns about the president, don’t take it out on the people’s pool.”
Others expressed skepticism about Trump’s vandalism claims. Jon Delgado, a 40-year-old Navy veteran from Collierville, Tennessee, voiced frustration at seeing the Reflecting Pool in its current condition.
“I came here with my wife and my family to show them the beauty of America and the spirit of what we fought for,” he said. “To see it trashed like this, it just makes me angry.”
Delgado called Trump’s accusations “really crazy,” adding: “We have to ask ourselves: Is this where we’re at, in the state of America, that we’re believing something like this? You can look for yourself: This thing has pond scum all in it, and it stinks. There’s no vandalism.”
