Trump administration indicts Olympic athlete for Reflecting Pool vandalism

Former three-time Olympic canoeist David "Davey" Hearn, 67, has been indicted for allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. US authorities charged him with destruction of property, a felony, for an incident on June 19, 2026. According to US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, Hearn is accused of ripping a piece of recently installed sealant from the bottom of the pool, causing approximately $1,000 in damage. The indictment follows recent renovations to the pool, which had encountered issues with algae and peeling sealant. Hearn has previously stated he did nothing wrong and was detained at the pool's edge after a bike ride.

Former Olympic canoe racer David Hearn was indicted on Thursday on a felony charge of property destruction in Washington. The indictment stems from an incident where Hearn allegedly ripped up recently installed sealant on the Reflecting Pool, causing over $1,000 in damage. District of Columbia US Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that Hearn acted deliberately and forcefully, pulling up the pool's bottom liner with his hands. Pirro also noted that Hearn was belligerent towards an employee who attempted to stop him. Authorities have made approximately six other misdemeanor arrests related to the incident.

Former Olympic canoe racer David Hearn has been indicted on a felony charge of property destruction in Washington, D.C. Prosecutors allege Hearn deliberately ripped up recently installed sealant on the Reflecting Pool, causing over $1,000 in damage. He is accused of acting belligerently towards an employee who told him to stop. Hearn previously stated he reached into the pool to examine the coating and briefly touched a piece that was still attached. The incident occurred on June 19, and Hearn was detained by National Guard troops and Park Police. President Trump has referred to the incident as vandalism of the Reflecting Pool.

Three-time US Olympian canoeist David Hearn has been indicted by a grand jury in Washington DC. The indictment accuses Hearn of "maliciously" breaking or destroying lining material in the reflecting pool on June 19th. This incident occurred after a $14.7 million renovation project, following which Donald Trump alleged vandalism. Hearn was arrested after touching a peeling piece of the pool's liner while visiting the site. His lawyers deny the allegations, stating that the Trump administration is treating ordinary conduct as criminal. Trump had previously claimed a significant gash was cut into the sealant, though no evidence has been publicly released.