A former Olympic athlete faces criminal charges after an incident at one of Washington's most iconic landmarks. David Hearn, a 67-year-old three-time U.S. Olympian who competed in canoe slalom, was arrested Friday evening and charged with misdemeanor destruction of government property at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
According to The Washington Post, Hearn stopped at the Reflecting Pool during a 52-mile bike ride to examine the site following its recent $14 million renovation, a project championed by President Donald Trump. The athlete told the publication that he merely reached into the water to touch a piece of partially detached pool liner to assess its texture.
U.S. Park Police arrested Hearn moments after the alleged incident. He was detained at the Park Police facility for approximately five hours before his release Friday night, according to The Washington Post. Hearn adamantly denied destroying, breaking, or peeling off any portion of the Reflecting Pool during his interview with the publication.
The arrest comes amid heightened attention to the Reflecting Pool's condition following its multimillion-dollar restoration. President Trump addressed the matter Saturday in a Truth Social post, condemning alleged vandals of the Reflecting Pool while announcing that some individuals have been arrested in connection with damage to the site.
The incident raises questions about the durability of the recent renovation work and the enforcement measures in place to protect the historic monument. Hearn's account suggests the pool liner may have already been partially detached when he encountered it, though authorities evidently viewed his interaction with the material as criminal conduct.
As a veteran Olympian who represented the United States in canoe slalom across three Olympic Games, Hearn now faces legal proceedings that could result in penalties for the misdemeanor charge. The case highlights the serious consequences individuals may face for any unauthorized contact with federal monuments and memorials, regardless of intent.
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a pop culture junkie and loves to share what's happening in Hollywood and what trends are taking the world by storm.
