Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn (67) pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of vandalising the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool during a hearing in Washington D.C. He is accused of causing approximately $1,000 in damage to the newly resealed pool.
"If Mr Hearn can be charged with a felony for touching the Reflecting Pool, every American is at risk," said his attorney Norm Eisen outside the courthouse. "It is not a crime to touch the Reflecting Pool, to touch water, in the United States of America," Eisen added.
Hearn was detained last month after touching a section of the pool’s exterior coating that he claims had already "delaminated." The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, alleged that Hearn "ripped" a piece of the sealant in a deliberate act of vandalism on 19 June. Hearn maintains he did not tear or remove any part of the paint.
The Reflecting Pool underwent a multimillion‑dollar resealing and painting project earlier this spring. Despite the makeover, the pool has continued to suffer from algae growth and pieces of the sealant peeling off within days. Five people have already been arrested for vandalism at the site, and five others have received federal citations, according to U.S. Park Police.
Officials noted that crew drained the pool for the second time in three months, while fireworks placed around the pool for July 4 celebrations added debris to the water. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum explained the cleaning plan: "Drain the water. Clean up the fireworks stuff. Repair the vandalism that was done. Fill it back up again."
Hearn’s next court appearance is scheduled for 5 August. Prosecutors argue the incident reflects a broader effort to protect the recently refurbished landmark, while Hearn’s camp claims the case is a pressure tactic by the Trump administration to deflect blame from a troubled renovation project.
