Last weekend, a former Olympic champion was arrested in Washington, D.C., accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. For those unfamiliar, this historic landmark was recently restored by order of the president. Donald Trump . However, the new renovation has caused problems, including algae growth and peeling of the new "American flag blue" paint at the base of the pool.
A former Olympic champion has been arrested and charged with vandalism of the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.
David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist who competed in the canoe slalom at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics, was arrested Friday, June 19, on charges of vandalism of government property, PEOPLE and ESPN report.
The 67-year-old man reportedly told the media that during his 109-kilometer bike ride on Emancipation Day (Juneteenth), he stopped at a reflective pond to take a closer look at recent renovations. While inspecting the pond, Hearn reportedly dipped his hand into the water to inspect peeling paint.
Hearn claimed he merely touched the piece, still attached to the pool wall, and released it after a government employee ordered him to do so. Despite this, Hearn was detained by the National Guard and park police for five hours before being released.
Hern says he's a "curious citizen," which is why he reached into the reflecting pool.
Shortly after his arrest, Hearn broke his silence, telling the media that curiosity had prompted him to inspect part of the reflecting pool. "I'm a curious citizen," Hearn said. "I reached out to see what it felt like. It felt very rubbery.".
The World Cup champion denied accusations of vandalism at the historic event, telling The Washington Post: "I didn't damage anything." He then clarified that he didn't "destroy, break, or strip anything" and only realized what was happening when he was handcuffed.
«"I reached in there and was able to grab the end of this loose piece that was already peeling off," he said. "It was still attached to the bottom. I didn't remove anything.".
President Donald Trump discusses recent acts of vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial.
Hearn is charged with misdemeanor destruction of government property and is scheduled to appear in court on July 9, 2026.
In a post on the website Truth Social, President Trump commented on the recent reconstruction of the pond, accusing citizens of "destroying" public property.
«"We're having serious vandalism issues around our beautiful reflective pond," the politician wrote. "Just like three days ago, when they destroyed the grass in front of the pond, they've also done everything they can to damage the newly installed surface inside.".
Trump announced plans to reconstruct the pond in April 2026.
According to Fox 5 DC, Trump announced his plans to reconstruct the pond in April 2026, stating it would cost nearly $1.5 million. However, the new project took longer than reported and cost $14 million.
Trump ordered the reflecting pool painted "American flag blue," which would hide the stone's original gray color, which the 80-year-old says "was never good.".
«"It wasn't the color people wanted before, but now it's going to be a great color," he said.
Trump's plan soon backfired as algae blooms began, the water turned green, and the new blue paint began to peel off.
Trump's plan to leave his mark on the country's history is not going according to plan.
In late May, Trump faced even more trouble when a federal judge ruled that the politician's name must be removed from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the center's board "exceeded its authority" by adding Trump's name to the building, adding that only Congress could change it.
«"Can the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts be renamed without Congressional permission? The answer, as the law clearly states, is no. Nor can anyone else be memorialized on the building's main portico," Cooper wrote, as reported by PBS.
Trump, who also announced plans to redevelop the center, responded to the statement in a post on Truth Social, saying he had "no interest" in continuing his plans if he couldn't do what he wanted.
«"Until I have the opportunity to do what I do best—restore this institution physically, financially, and artistically—I have no desire to continue what can only be a hopeless journey into Wonderland," he wrote.
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