Former U.S. Olympian David Hearn has denied allegations that he vandalised the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after being arrested by U.S. Park Police amid a growing controversy surrounding the recently renovated national landmark.
Hearn, a three-time Olympic canoeist and former world champion, was taken into custody on a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property after authorities claimed he interfered with the Reflecting Pool. The arrest comes as President Donald Trump and federal officials investigate what they describe as vandalism and damage to the newly refurbished site.
The 67-year-old strongly rejected the accusations, saying he merely touched a loose section of the pool’s blue liner that was already peeling away and did not remove or damage any material. According to Hearn, he stopped at the memorial during a long bicycle ride and became curious about the deteriorating surface.
“I didn’t vandalize anything,” Hearn said in interviews following his release, maintaining that he neither destroyed nor altered the structure. He also denied claims that he interfered with maintenance crews working to address algae problems in the pool.
The arrest occurred as scrutiny intensifies over the Reflecting Pool’s recent multi-million-dollar renovation. Since reopening earlier this month, the landmark has experienced algae blooms, discoloration, and reports of peeling liner material. President Trump has blamed vandals for some of the damage and announced that repair work will begin immediately.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said individuals found responsible for vandalism at the Reflecting Pool would face prosecution, including those accused of introducing substances that may have contributed to algae growth.
Hearn is scheduled to appear in court on July 9, where the misdemeanor charge will be addressed. The case has attracted national attention as questions continue over whether the damage resulted from vandalism, construction issues, environmental factors, or a combination of all three.