Former Olympian Accused of Vandalising Washington’s Reflecting Pool
Three‑time US Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn has been indicted on a felony charge of property destruction after authorities linked him to damage in the reflection pool at the Lincoln Memorial.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said at a press conference on Thursday that Hearn caused $1,000 worth of damage and ripped recently installed sealant from the bottom of the pool on 19 June 2026.
Hearn, 67, previously told the BBC he did not do anything wrong, claiming he merely touched material that had already been damaged and commenting on his curiosity about the pool’s condition. He described his arrest as “arbitrary, capricious prosecution”.
The Reflecting Pool, a 2,030‑ft stretch between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, has faced chronic issues such as leaks, algae growth and birds droppings even before the recent $14 million renovation. Officials report that the new sealant is peeling and the pool has clouded with algae within days of refilling.
President Donald Trump condemned the vandalism on social media, calling the perpetrators “sick, deranged people” and pledged that work would begin immediately to repair the damage.
The National Park Service confirmed that five people have been arrested for vandalism related to the pool, with five additional individuals issued federal citations.
If found guilty, Hearn faces a felony charge of destruction of property, highlighting the heightened scrutiny of cultural landmarks amid ongoing preservation efforts.
