Former Olympian indicted on felony charge in what Trump called Reflecting Pool vandalism

District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Hearn ripped up recently installed sealant on pool in “a deliberate act” that caused $1,000 in damage.

admin July 2, 2026 2 minutes read

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST and MEG KINNARD, Associated Press

WASHINGTON — A former Olympian was indicted Thursday on a felony charge in what President Donald Trump has called vandalism of the Reflecting Pool.

David Hearn, a former Olympic canoe racer, was indicted on a single count of property destruction in Washington, D.C. court.

District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Hearn ripped up recently installed sealant on pool in “a deliberate act” that caused $1,000 in damage. She accused of of “forcefully and violently” pulling up bottom liner “with both hands” and acting belligerent toward an employee who told him to stop.

“This is a case with tremendous evidence,” she said, adding that prosecutors are handling about six other cases.

Hearn previously told The Associated Press that he reached into the pool June 19 to examine the newly peeled coating. He said he briefly touched a chunk that was still attached to the side of the pool, then let go shortly after a park worker told him to.

Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, owned a company that made composite materials used to build watercraft. He said he stopped by the pool during a 64-mile bike ride.

He said he was detained by National Guard troops and Park Police for five hours before being released.

Trump said earlier this month that federal authorities made “multiple arrests” of people he said were vandalizing the Reflecting Pool as he struggled to explain why the $14-million-plus rehabilitation project he launched for the nation’s 250th anniversary seemingly backfired.