Former Olympian indicted on felony charge in what Trump called Reflecting Pool vandalism

Former Olympian indicted on felony charge over alleged Reflecting Pool vandalism 1 of 4 | Signage and security fencing warns of explosives along the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool ahead of July 4th events on the National Mall, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard) 2 of 4 | Workers lay nets in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to catch debris from the Fourth of July fireworks display, Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) 3 of 4 | The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is seen, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) 4 of 4 | People take photos of a mother duck and her ducklings at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick) 1 of 4 | Signage and security fencing warns of explosives along the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool ahead of July 4th events on the National Mall, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard) 1 of 4 Signage and security fencing warns of explosives along the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool ahead of July 4th events on the National Mall, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 2 of 4 | Workers lay nets in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to catch debris from the Fourth of July fireworks display, Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) 2 of 4 Workers lay nets in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to catch debris from the Fourth of July fireworks display, Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 3 of 4 | The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is seen, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) 3 of 4 The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is seen, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 4 of 4 | People take photos of a mother duck and her ducklings at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick) 4 of 4 People take photos of a mother duck and her ducklings at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Washington (AP) — A former Olympian was indicted Thursday on a felony charge in what President Donald Trump has called vandalism of the Reflecting Pool. David Hearn, a former Olympic canoe racer, was indicted on a single count of property destruction in Washington, D.C. court. District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Hearn ripped up recently installed sealant on pool in “a deliberate act” that caused more than $1,000 in damage. She accused him of “forcefully and violently” pulling up bottom liner “with both hands” and acting belligerent toward an employee who told him to stop. “This is a case with tremendous evidence,” she said, adding that authorities have made about six other misdemeanors arrests. Hearn didn’t immediately return a phone call seeking comment. He previously told The Associated Press that he reached into the pool June 19 to examine the newly peeled coating. He said he briefly touched a chunk that was still attached to the side of the pool, then let go shortly after a park worker told him to. Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, owned a company that made composite materials used to build watercraft. He said he stopped by the pool during a 64-mile bike ride. 1 MIN READ 3 MIN READ 4 MIN READ He said he was detained by National Guard troops and Park Police for five hours before being released. Trump said earlier this month that federal authorities made “multiple arrests” of people he accused vandalizing the Reflecting Pool as he struggled to explain why the $14-million-plus rehabilitation project he launched for the nation’s 250th anniversary seemingly backfired.