Grand Jury Indicts Former Olympian for Damage to Lincoln Memorial Pool
Janine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, has announced that a former U.S. Olympian faces felony charges related to vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool.
David Hearn, a 67-year-old canoeist who competed in three Olympic games, has been charged with felony criminal damage to property. This charge could lead to a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, as detailed in a Thursday news conference.
The indictment claims that Hearn damaged roughly two square feet of sealant at the pool on June 19. Witnesses reported seeing him forcefully remove the sealant from the bottom of the pool.
“National Park Service personnel observed Mr. Hearn actually forcefully and violently pulling up and removing the bottom liner with both hands,” Pirro stated.
Officials present during the incident described Hearn’s actions as “belligerent” and “disrespectful.” According to Pirro, when confronted by a park employee asking him to stop, Hearn responded aggressively, questioning her authority over the pool.
In a statement to a media outlet, Hearn claimed he did not intend to cause any damage. He mentioned that he merely touched a piece of liner that appeared to be floating when park police apprehended him.
Beyond Hearn’s case, Pirro revealed that there are approximately six additional cases tied to the reported vandalism at the reflecting pool, which include both misdemeanors and violations.
President Donald Trump has frequently criticized the reported vandalism on social media, asserting that extensive damage had occurred, with cuts exceeding 350 feet of lining. Pirro addressed these claims, noting that she had visited the site the day before and observed signs of severe intentional damage. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities working to identify other suspected individuals involved.
This incident follows a recent renovation of the reflecting pool, part of a broader initiative during the Trump administration aimed at enhancing the aesthetic appeal of national monuments in Washington, D.C.
