WASHINGTON – A former Olympic canoe racer, David Hearn, has entered a not guilty plea regarding allegations of intentionally damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a site that recently underwent extensive renovations. The case has attracted considerable attention, with critics of the Trump administration labeling it as an overreach of prosecutorial power.
Hearn, 67, who represented the United States in three Summer Olympics, made his plea known through his attorney during his first appearance before D.C. Superior Court. He was indicted on a single felony count of property destruction, which has raised eyebrows given the high-profile nature of the case.
In a courtroom filled with supporters, Judge Carmen McLean did not impose court supervision while Hearn awaits trial, which has been scheduled for a status hearing on August 5.
Outside the courthouse, dozens of Hearn’s supporters gathered, many of whom created homemade signs expressing solidarity with the former athlete.
The Reflecting Pool, which underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation under an order from President Donald Trump, has faced numerous issues, including the need for chemical treatments to control algae blooms. Trump himself has suggested that the pool may require further draining to address liner repairs after visible chunks of coating became apparent on the surface.
Accusations from Trump claimed that vandals had dumped fertilizer into the pool and inflicted damage with a box cutter. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has indicated that Hearn is among several individuals charged in relation to the $16 million renovation project, with six others facing misdemeanor charges.
Hearn’s legal team has rebuffed the charges, asserting that they stem from a “concocted narrative” that raises concerns about the integrity of the justice system. They argue that the indictment serves more to deflect blame from the administration’s own shortcomings rather than address legitimate concerns regarding the Reflecting Pool’s state.
In a previous statement to The Associated Press, Hearn recounted being detained by National Guard troops and U.S. Park Police for five hours after he stopped to inspect the pool during a 64-mile bike ride on June 19. He claimed that he merely touched a piece of the newly peeled coating and complied with a park worker’s instructions to let go.
Pirro has alleged that Hearn caused more than $1,000 in damages by removing recently installed sealant from the pool and behaving aggressively towards an employee who intervened.
