Former Olympian David Hearn indicted over alleged Reflecting Pool damage
WASHINGTON, DC: Former Olympian David Hearn has been indicted on Thursday, July 2, on a felony destruction of property charge, days after he and several others were arrested for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
After reports of an algae bloom and peeling paint at the Reflecting Pool, Trump accused left-wing vandals of intentionally damaging the historic site.
Former Olympian David Hearn faces felony charge
Hearn, a former US Olympic canoeist, was charged on Thursday in DC Superior Court following the incident on June 19.
"One of the most offensive images that I hold in my mind is the images of national monuments that are being debased, roped, torn down, graffitied, and damaged by individuals," US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said at a news conference.
Pirro on Reflecting Pool: We will not allow our sacred monuments to be defaced, diminished, or in any way impacted by disgruntled individuals who think that they, and not the rest of the nation, have the right to decide what should happen. pic.twitter.com/je9UeQB5iu
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 2, 2026
"This unchecked vandalism and civil disorder turns into criminal behavior, and that's why we are here today," she continued.
When the park employee told him to stop what he was doing, Pirro said Hearn "reacted by shouting at that park's employee, saying that she cared too much about the reflecting pool, and why did she even care, since it wasn't her pool."
Pirro said there are about half a dozen cases related to vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, but she added that it was not clear yet if there would be more indictments on felony charges.
Statement from counsel for David Hearn, the just indicted ex-Olympian, charged with felony destruction of property, in connection with something he did at the Reflecting Pool. pic.twitter.com/9Lu7vNsskn
— Roger Parloff (@rparloff) July 2, 2026
She said some individuals may be charged with misdemeanors, rather than felonies.
David Hearn denies damaging the Reflecting Pool
The 67-year-old canoeist revealed that he had just finished a 52-mile bike ride when he noticed a "partially detached piece" of the new pool liner and "reached into the water to see what it felt like."
“I didn’t know how long I was going to be held,” Hearn said during an interview with MS NOW. “I had not been allowed to make a phone call. Nobody really knew I was there. I was held incommunicado the whole time.”
Hayes: Am I right that you were detained for five hours during after this arrest?
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 23, 2026
Hearn: Yes. I was in the lockup. I was photographed and they put me back in, fingerprinted, put me back in, and I had not been able to allow to make a phone call. No, nobody really knew I was… pic.twitter.com/JOHQG92NEN
“I didn't destroy, break, or peel anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs,” he told The Washington Post.
Court records show Hearn has been charged with felony destruction of property for allegedly causing more than $1,000 in damage. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
