Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of vandalism at Washington DC’s Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
The federal indictment alleges that Hearn caused approximately $1,000 in damages by taking a piece of the freshly applied sealant from the pool’s bottom during a routine inspection on 19 June. The lawsuit describes the act as a “deliberate removal” that violated the properties’ protection statutes.
Hearn, aged 67, maintains that he only touched a section of liner that had already delaminated. In a statement to BBC News, he said he had “not destroyed, ripped, torn, peeled or removed any part” of the paint.
The case is set against a backdrop of widespread criticism of the pool’s rapid deterioration after a multi‑million dollar renovation overseen by President Donald Trump’s administration. The restoration, costing an estimated $13.2 million, aimed to repair leaks and give the pool a fresh appearance, yet algae infestations and peel‑off of the blue sealant surfaced within weeks.
National Park Service officials report that the liner had been sliced with a sharp tool on 9 June. In response, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has ordered the pool to be drained, cleaned, and repaired before it is refilled.
Hearn’s attorneys, most notably attorney Norm Eisen, have challenged the charge, arguing that touching the pool’s surface is not a crime under U.S. law. Eisen warned that a conviction could set a dangerous precedent, stating, "If Mr Hearn can be charged with a felony for touching the Reflecting Pool, every American is at risk."
Up to now, five individuals have been arrested for vandalism related to the pool, and another five have received federal citations. The DC Attorney General’s office, led by Jeanine Pirro, has dismissed the defense, insisting that the damages were intentional.
The court filing for next trials on 5 August remains contentious, with Hearn’s camp accusing the Trump administration of using the case to deflect responsibility for the ongoing maintenance issues of the landmark.
