Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn was arrested by U.S. Park Police for allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after a 52-mile bike ride. Hearn says he only touched a partially detached liner, denied any damage, and was held for about five
Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn didn’t expect his bike ride to end in handcuffs.
The 67-year-old, a three-time U.S. Olympian who competed in canoe slalom, was arrested for allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after stopping during a 52-mile bike ride to take a look. The pool had recently undergone a $14 million renovation championed by President Trump.
Hearn told The Washington Post that all he did was reach into the water and touch a piece of partially detached pool liner to see what it felt like.
Moments later, U.S. Park Police arrested him for misdemeanor destruction of government property, according to the report. Hearn said he was held at the Park Police facility for about five hours before he was released Friday night. He adamantly denied destroying, breaking, or peeling off any portion of the Reflecting Pool.
Saturday brought a second layer to the story when Trump posted on Truth Social, condemning alleged vandals of the Reflecting Pool while announcing that some of them have been arrested.
Between Hearn’s claim that he touched a liner and the charge centered on misdemeanor destruction of government property, the confrontation has turned into more than a personal dispute—especially given the renovation’s high-profile attention and the president’s public response.
David Hearn ex-Olympian Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool U.S. Park Police canoe slalom Trump Truth Social vandalizing misdemeanor destruction of government property $14 million renovation