David Hearn, a 67-year-old former American Olympic canoeist, has denied vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., following his arrest on Friday, June 19, 2026. Hearn was cycling past the monument when he noticed a piece of the pool's liner floating in the water.
Hearn's Account of the Incident
Hearn, a three-time Olympian, told BBC News that he removed his cycling glove to touch the rubbery liner, which he said appeared to have “delaminated from the bottom of the pool.” He was then stopped by U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops. “I didn’t vandalize anything,” Hearn told The Washington Post. “I didn’t destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs.” He added, “I reached in there, and I was able to grab the end of that flapping piece, the already peeling piece. It was still attached to the bottom. I didn’t remove anything.”
Arrest and Charges
Video of Hearn’s arrest went viral on social media. In the footage, he appeared bewildered as he was confronted by the National Guard before being handcuffed by U.S. Park Police. Hearn is facing a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property, according to BBC News. He was detained for almost five hours at a Park Police facility in Hains Point, Maryland, the Post reported. He is scheduled to appear in DC Superior Court on July 9 to face the charge.
President Trump's Response
U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the incident on Truth Social on Saturday, stating that “many additional people” have been arrested in connection to what he called “disgraceful Vandalism.” Trump wrote, “What these terrible Vandals have done is a true affront to both Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and should be dealt with accordingly.” The president claimed that vandals poured chemicals into the pool and that it would have to be drained for repairs. “The Reflecting Pool was never so beautiful as it was just one week ago, even going back to 1922 when it opened. We are very proud of what we have done with this magnificent structure, and we will get it repaired, quickly, to an equal level of Beauty,” said Trump.
Background on the Reflecting Pool
The decrepit state of the pool comes just weeks after a $14.8 million restoration project was completed, according to The New York Post. Trump vowed to have the reflecting pool repaired as soon as possible.
Hearn's Athletic Career
A native of Bethesda, Maryland, Hearn competed in the Whitewater Slalom Canoe category in the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Summer Olympics. He is also a two-time World Champion, winning gold in 1985 and 1995.
