Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn denies damaging US President Donald Trump’s Washington, DC reflecting pool renovation.
Printed On 9 Jul 2026
A former US Olympian has pleaded not responsible to vandalising the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, in a case that has drawn nationwide consideration amid accusations that the administration of US President Donald Trump is making an attempt to shift blame for a troubled renovation.
David “Davey” Hearn, a 67-year-old three-time Olympic canoe racer, entered his plea in federal courtroom on Thursday after prosecutors accused him of “maliciously” damaging the “American flag blue” lining put in on the backside of the reflecting pool at Trump’s request forward of celebrations going down at Washington’s Nationwide Mall for the 250th anniversary of the US’ independence on July 4.
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Federal prosecutors allege Hearn pulled on the liner on June 19, inflicting greater than $1,000 in injury. He has been charged with destruction of presidency property, an offence that carries a most jail sentence of 10 years.
Hearn denied the allegations. He admitted he stopped on the pool throughout a motorbike experience, reached inside and touched a piece of lining that was already peeling away, however that he didn’t take away or injury it. He informed The Related Press he let go when a park worker informed him to cease.
Hearn’s legal professionals argue the prosecution is an try by the Trump administration to deflect consideration from what they describe as a botched renovation mission.
“This indictment displays the administration’s effort to shift blame for their very own failures,” they mentioned in an announcement. “The justice system exists to find out info, to not present political cowl.”
The 620-metre (2,030-foot) reflecting pool reopened in June after Trump ordered the brand new liner to be put in throughout the underside. He mentioned he was compelled to go forward with the $14.7m renovation after a good friend visiting from Germany known as the pool darkish and disgusting.
However within days, algae started to unfold throughout the floor, the water turned chartreuse inexperienced, and sections of the liner started peeling away.
Consultants have explained that the darkish new coat of paint on the backside of the pool would elevate the temperature and permit algae to develop, and that algae blooms in water are widespread right now of 12 months, particularly in shallow, stagnant water like that of the pool.
Trump blamed the problems on vandals, claiming with out proof that “corrosive and harmful chemical compounds” had been poured into the pool and that vandals “took some type of knife or blade” and put an extended “gash into the gorgeous facade”, though nobody has been charged over these alleged acts.
The US president warned that anybody who allegedly broken the pool might face lengthy jail phrases. “Please bear in mind that there’s a 10 12 months jail sentence for the destruction, and even the tried destruction, of such issues — Which might be totally enforced!” he wrote on Reality Social.
Final week, US Legal professional for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced the indictment in opposition to Hearn, accusing him of deliberately damaging the liner.
The US Division of the Inside has mentioned that at the very least six folks had been arrested on suspicion of vandalising the pool within the weeks after it reopened. Nationwide Guard troops and US Park Police had been deployed to guard the location, which was fenced off throughout July 4 celebrations.
Thursday’s listening to drew a packed courtroom, with dozens of supporters ready exterior after Hearn entered his plea.
The reflecting pool’s issues have continued, with Trump acknowledging it would should be drained once more so the broken liner may be repaired.
