A former Olympic canoeist is among several people charged in connection with alleged vandalism at the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., according to reports. The incident has drawn national attention after President Donald Trump claimed that damage to the landmark may require the basin to be partially drained for repairs. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged vandalism.
The former Olympian, identified as David Hearn, a three-time U.S. Olympic canoeist, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor destruction of government property. Hearn has denied intentionally damaging the pool, saying he merely touched a section of the newly installed liner that appeared to have already detached from the surface. Video of his arrest circulated online, sparking debate over whether his actions constituted vandalism.
The Reflecting Pool recently underwent a major renovation costing more than $14 million. The project was completed earlier this month and included the installation of a new blue liner and upgrades intended to improve water quality and reduce algae growth. However, shortly after reopening, the pool experienced a significant algae bloom, and reports emerged that portions of the liner were peeling away beneath the water.
President Trump has blamed many of the problems on acts of vandalism, alleging that corrosive chemicals were poured into the water and that individuals deliberately damaged the newly installed surfaces. In posts on Truth Social, Trump praised law enforcement for making arrests and said additional suspects had been taken into custody. Federal authorities have not publicly released evidence supporting all of the allegations, and several agencies have declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
According to Trump, contractors met with administration officials to assess the damage and determined that much of the pool’s water may need to be drained to allow repairs to proceed. He stated that the work would be completed as quickly as possible in order to preserve one of the nation’s most recognizable monuments. The Reflecting Pool stretches between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument and attracts millions of visitors each year.
The controversy has intensified scrutiny of the renovation project itself, with critics questioning whether construction defects, environmental conditions, or alleged vandalism are primarily responsible for the pool’s current condition. While investigators continue reviewing the incidents and court proceedings move forward, officials face the challenge of restoring the landmark while addressing growing public concerns about the costly renovation and the claims surrounding its deterioration.
