U.S. Park Police arrested former Olympian David Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, on a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. The arrest occurred recently as authorities investigate reported damage to the landmark's newly installed blue coating, which was part of a major renovation project.
"He did not remove, destroy, break or peel any of the material." — David Hearn, Statement to U.S. Park Police
The incident at the Reflecting Pool comes as officials have been addressing problems that emerged shortly after the completion of a multi-million dollar renovation. The project, reportedly costing over $14 million, involved draining the pool, repairing leaks, and applying a new "American flag blue" coating to the granite bottom. This resurfacing was intended to improve the pool's appearance and mitigate recurring algae issues. However, within days of the pool being refilled, reports indicated that portions of the coating had begun peeling and algae had returned.
According to a report cited by the New York Post, Hearn was participating in a 52-mile bicycle ride when he stopped near the Reflecting Pool. He told police he observed a piece of the new blue liner material that appeared partially detached and flapping in the water. Hearn stated he reached into the water and touched the loose section, noting it was already peeling but remained attached to the bottom of the pool. He explicitly denied causing any damage, telling officers he "did not remove, destroy, break or peel any of the material." Despite his denial, officers placed him under arrest shortly after their interaction. Court records indicate Hearn is scheduled to appear in D.C. Superior Court on July 9.
President Donald Trump has publicly commented on the issues at the Reflecting Pool, attributing some of the problems to vandalism. President Trump has stated that video evidence exists showing individuals tampering with the new sealant and has referenced arrests made by Park Police during the investigation. Authorities have linked Hearn’s arrest to these broader inquiries into alleged interference with the newly installed coating. As of now, the U.S. Park Police have not publicly announced additional charges connected to the wider vandalism allegations.
David Hearn is a notable figure in American sports history, having represented the U.S. in canoe slalom competition at three Olympic Games: Barcelona in 1992, Atlanta in 1996, and Sydney in 2000. His best Olympic performance was a ninth-place finish in the C1 canoe slalom event at the Atlanta Games. Beyond his Olympic career, Hearn won two individual world championship gold medals in C1 slalom in 1985 and 1995. He also secured multiple team medals at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships and earned numerous U.S. national titles before his retirement from elite competition, according to Trending Politics.
The reported damage to the Reflecting Pool and subsequent arrests are part of a series of recent incidents on the National Mall. These include markings displaying the numbers “86,47” on grass near the Washington Monument and a fuel spill associated with damaged equipment during a large event held on the Mall earlier this month. The ongoing investigation into the Reflecting Pool damage underscores the challenges of maintaining national landmarks and the efforts by authorities to protect federal property from vandalism. Hearn's upcoming court appearance will further clarify the legal aspects of this incident.
