A former U.S. Olympian was arrested at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool this weekend on charges of destruction of government property, an incident that has become entangled in a broader controversy over the site's troubled $14 million renovation.
David Hearn, 67, a three-time Olympian and former canoe slalom competitor, was taken into custody by U.S. Park Police officers on Friday after he reached into the newly refurbished pool to examine a piece of its detached liner . The Bethesda, Maryland, resident now faces a misdemeanor charge and is scheduled to appear in D.C. Superior Court on July 9 .
Hearn, who represented the United States in the Barcelona, Atlanta, and Sydney Summer Games, was completing a 52-mile bike ride when he stopped by the iconic memorial to view the pool's recent renovation . According to his account, he noticed a section of the pool's new "American flag blue" lining had peeled away and was floating in the water, prompting him to reach in and feel the material.
"I didn't vandalize anything," Hearn told reporters. "I didn't destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs" .
Hearn described being detained for approximately five hours at a Park Police facility before being released just after 9 p.m. Friday . He was eventually reunited with his bicycle and rode home.
The arrest came as President Donald Trump has increasingly blamed "Radical Left Lunatics" for sabotaging the Reflecting Pool renovation project . In a series of social media posts, the president claimed vandals had damaged the pool's surface and called for severe penalties.
"We've had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool," Trump posted on his social media platform Friday night. "These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments. Years in jail!" .
The Reflecting Pool Controversy
The century-old Reflecting Pool, which sits between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, has become a flashpoint following the Trump administration's decision to refurbish the concrete basin with a new liner . The project, initially projected to cost approximately $1.8 million, has reportedly expanded to $14.7 million, according to Interior Department contract documents .
The renovation effort faced immediate challenges after the pool was refilled. Within days, an algae bloom transformed the water from its intended blue to a murky green, while sections of the new coating began peeling from the pool's bottom . National Park Service workers were deployed to address the issues, using chemical treatments and specialized equipment to combat the algae .
Interior Department officials maintained that the problems were being addressed, announcing that "advanced nanobubbler technology" had "very effectively killed the algae" . Officials also noted that workers were removing the remaining dead algae from the pool bottom.
Video Evidence and Conflicting Accounts
Video footage of Hearn's arrest, posted by online journalist Emily Miller, shows the former Olympian in cycling gear being detained by National Guard members and surrounded by Park Police officers . Miller alleged that Hearn had "grabbed the hose that female National Park Service workers were using to clear the algae" .
Hearn strongly denied this claim, stating he never touched the hose, though he acknowledged his bicycle tire might have made contact . When asked to describe his actions, Hearn said, "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" .
The incident adds to the growing scrutiny of the Reflecting Pool renovation. ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl had previously examined the pool's condition, noting the presence of green algae and peeling paint . Trump criticized Karl's reporting, accusing the journalist of interfering with the pool's surface .
Despite the algae and peeling issues, Trump has insisted the problems are being resolved, claiming on social media that the "algae is 75% gone" and that the vandalism damage would be repaired "early next week" .
Hearn's Athletic Background
Hearn is a distinguished former athlete who competed in canoe slalom for the United States. He participated in three Olympic Games, beginning with Barcelona in 1992, followed by Atlanta in 1996, and Sydney in 2000 . Throughout his career, he earned two gold medals, five silver medals, and two world championship titles in whitewater racing .
His sister, Catherine Hearn, also competed for the United States and won a world championship title in 1979 . David Hearn retired from active competition in 2002 .
This is not Hearn's first encounter with law enforcement. In 1996, Park Police arrested him for canoeing on the Potomac River after heavy rains left it near record high levels. A federal judge later dismissed charges of failing to obey a lawful order, ruling that the river where Hearn was canoeing was governed by Maryland rather than federal jurisdiction .
Ongoing Investigations
The U.S. Park Police and other agencies responsible for the National Mall's upkeep have not provided detailed comments on the investigation . Additional arrests have reportedly been made in connection with the Reflecting Pool incidents, though officials have not confirmed the total number of individuals charged .
The case against Hearn highlights the broader challenges facing the $14.7 million renovation project. Technical experts note that even if individuals removed paint from the pool's sides, such actions would not explain the algae bloom that turned the water green or the widespread peeling observed across the pool floor .
As the legal process moves forward, Hearn has indicated he is seeking legal representation. His scheduled court appearance on July 9 is expected to draw significant attention as the case proceeds in D.C. Superior Court .
The Reflecting Pool, originally constructed in 1923 as part of the Lincoln Memorial design, remains one of Washington's most recognizable landmarks. Its ongoing renovation challenges and the criminal charges stemming from its upkeep have generated national attention and debate over maintenance of the nation's monuments.
