A three-time Olympic canoeist, David Hearn, 67, has been indicted on a felony charge of destruction of property for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. According to federal prosecutors, Hearn ripped a piece of recently installed sealant from the bottom of the pool on June 19, 2026, causing an estimated $1,000 in damage.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated the act was deliberate and harmed restoration efforts by the National Park Service. The incident occurred shortly after a $14 million renovation project on the pool, which has a history of issues including leaks, structural deterioration, and algae growth.
Hearn has maintained his innocence, telling the BBC that he did not damage any part of the pool's coating. He described his arrest as "arbitrary, capricious prosecution" and stated he was merely curious about the pool's condition, touching material he believed was already damaged. He claims he did not rip, tear, peel, or remove any paint.
President Donald Trump had previously blamed vandals for the peeling sealant and announced that work would begin immediately to fix the "seriously vandalized" Reflecting Pool. He described the damage as the work of "SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE!"
US Park Police reported that five individuals have been arrested for vandalism related to the Reflecting Pool, with five others receiving federal citations. The Reflecting Pool, located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, has undergone numerous repairs throughout its history.