A former Olympic athlete has been accused of causing damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, an incident labeled as vandalism by former President Donald Trump. David Hearn, a 67-year-old former Olympic canoe racer, faces a felony charge of property destruction in Washington, DC. Prosecutors claim that he intentionally tore up newly applied sealant, causing over $1,000 in damages, and refused to cease when confronted.
During a press briefing on July 2, District of Columbia US Attorney Jeanine Pirro asserted that Hearn aggressively ripped up the sealant using both hands and became confrontational towards a National Park Service employee. Pirro highlighted the substantial evidence in the case, noting that six other misdemeanor arrests were also made in connection with the incident.
Hearn, who denied intentionally damaging the landmark, explained to the Associated Press that he only touched a loose part of the sealant on June 19 after noticing it peeling off. He stated that he complied when instructed to stop by a park worker. Hearn, who previously operated a company producing materials for watercraft construction, mentioned that he had paused at the memorial during a 64-mile bike ride and was detained by authorities for five hours before being released.
Despite maintaining his innocence, Hearn stated to the Washington Post that he did not vandalize, destroy, or break anything, claiming he was handcuffed before fully understanding the situation. Last month, Trump accused multiple individuals of vandalizing the Reflecting Pool, defending the $14.7 million refurbishment project initiated for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The ex-President alleged a 300-foot cut in the new sealant, promising to release supporting evidence, which has not been made public yet. Hearn was initially apprehended on a misdemeanor charge related to government property destruction.
The Reflecting Pool, established in 1922, spans over 2,000 feet between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, famously known for being the backdrop of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.