Law enforcement has officially charged David 'Davey' Hearn, a 67-year-old former Olympic canoeist, with felony destruction of property following an incident at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
According to US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, Hearn was observed on June 19, 2026, deliberately tearing a piece of recently installed sealant from the bottom of the pool, resulting in $1,000 worth of damage.
This act of vandalism occurred despite ongoing efforts by the National Park Service to restore the historic site, a project recently prioritized by President Donald Trump. While Hearn and his legal team claim he is innocent and characterize the prosecution as 'arbitrary,' federal authorities are moving forward with the case.
The incident is part of a broader pattern of destruction at the site, with US Park Police reporting five arrests and five federal citations related to vandalism at the pool.
President Trump has publicly condemned the destruction, labeling those responsible as 'sick' and 'deranged' for damaging a national monument that has long struggled with maintenance issues. The government remains committed to holding those who deface public property accountable, regardless of their past athletic achievements.
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