David Hearn pleads not guilty to damaging Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of property destruction for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. His defense team argues the prosecution distracts from administrative failures surrounding the project's recent renovation.
David Hearn, a 67-year-old former Olympic canoeist, appeared in D.C. Superior Court on Thursday, July 9, 2026, to enter a plea of not guilty to a felony charge of property destruction. The proceedings center on allegations that Hearn intentionally damaged the liner of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool during an incident on June 19, 2026.
The case has emerged as a significant point of contention regarding the recent renovation of the National Mall landmark. President Donald Trump, who championed the project ahead of the nation’s 250th independence celebrations, has publicly attributed recurring issues—including algae blooms and peeling sealant—to acts of vandalism. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced the indictment against Hearn on July 2, 2026, alleging that the former athlete “forcefully and violently” pulled up and removed the bottom liner of the pool. Prosecutors claim the damage exceeds $1,000.
Media additions
Hearn’s defense team, led by attorney Norm Eisen, characterized the prosecution as an attempt to shift public focus away from administrative failures. If Mr. Hearn can be charged with a felony for touching the Reflecting Pool, every American is at risk — and every American should be alarmed about this prosecution
, Eisen said. It is not a crime to touch the Reflecting Pool, to touch water in the United States of America.
Hearn has consistently maintained his innocence. According to accounts provided to multiple outlets, he stopped at the pool during a bike ride on June 19 to observe the state of the renovation. He acknowledges touching a piece of the pool liner but asserts that the material was already detached and that he did not remove or destroy any part of the pool’s coating. The condition of the Reflecting Pool was the same after I stepped away from the water as it was before I got there,
Hearn stated previously.
The renovation project has been marked by mechanical and structural challenges. While officials, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, have indicated that the pool must be drained to repair liner damage, the scope of the alleged sabotage remains a subject of dispute. Trump has claimed, without providing evidence, that individuals used sharp tools to slash the lining and dumped fertilizer into the water. To date, no individuals have been formally charged with the specific acts of dumping chemicals or using razors to cut the pool liner, though other people have been arrested or issued citations in connection with the pool's ongoing issues.
During the Thursday hearing, Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean released Hearn on his own recognizance. Supporters outside the courthouse carried signs mocking the project as the "Deflecting Pool," while former teammates of Hearn voiced disbelief at the severity of the charges. Adam Van Grack, former chair of the U.S. Olympic national governing body for canoe and kayak sports, noted Hearn's history of volunteering to maintain park property along the Potomac River, describing the allegations of malicious destruction as contrary to Hearn’s character.
What to Watch Next
- Status Hearing: A follow-up hearing is scheduled for August 5, 2026.
- Maintenance Efforts: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum confirmed that crews have begun the process of draining the pool for the second time in three months to facilitate further repairs to the lining and remove debris.
As the legal process moves forward, the case highlights the tension between the federal government’s efforts to maintain the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and public scrutiny regarding the expenditure and efficacy of the recent rehabilitation project.
