David Hearn, a three-time Olympic canoe racer, pleaded not guilty Thursday in D.C. Superior Court to a felony charge of property destruction for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Federal prosecutors accuse the 67-year-old Bethesda resident of causing more than $1,000 in damage, a claim his defense attorneys reject as a politically motivated effort to shift blame for the administration’s own renovation failures.
The Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Hearn was indicted last Thursday following a June 19 incident. According to his account provided to The Associated Press, Hearn was on a 64-mile bike ride when he stopped at the Reflecting Pool. He stated he reached into the water to examine newly peeled sealant and touched a chunk of the material, but released it immediately after being instructed to do so by a park worker. Hearn was subsequently detained for five hours by National Guard troops and U.S. Park Police.
During his initial appearance on Thursday, D.C. Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean did not impose court supervision. While prosecutor Kevin Reddington requested a “stay-away order,” he did not specify which areas Hearn should avoid. Defense attorney Mary Dohrmann described Hearn as an “upstanding citizen,” arguing the government’s evidence is weak. A status hearing is set for August 5.
Renovation Challenges and Political Context
The $16 million project to renovate the Reflecting Pool has faced significant technical issues, including algae blooms and the degradation of the new blue coating. President Donald Trump has alleged, without providing evidence, that vandals dumped fertilizer into the water and used box cutters to slash the liner. The administration has indicated the pool may require further draining for repairs.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro reported that six other individuals have faced misdemeanor charges related to the project. Pirro specifically accused Hearn of ripping up sealant and acting belligerently toward staff. Conversely, defense attorney Norm Eisen characterized the prosecution as an “abuse of prosecutorial power,” stating that “it is not a crime to touch the Reflecting Pool.”
Potential Next Steps in the Case
As the case moves toward the August 5 status hearing, legal teams are expected to continue debating the validity of the government’s evidence. Hearn’s defense maintains that the charges are a “concocted narrative” intended to provide political cover for the administration’s handling of the renovation. If the case proceeds to trial, the court will likely focus on whether Hearn’s interaction with the pool’s sealant meets the legal threshold for felony property destruction. Supporters of Hearn, who gathered outside the courthouse to chant his name, may remain a visible presence throughout the legal process.
