Trump Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, center, and his attorney Norman Eisen, left, walk to a car following a court appearance, where he pleaded not guilty to allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Thursday, July 9, 2026, in Washington.

Tags

As featured on

Justice Department moves to drop case against ex-Olympian charged with damaging Reflecting Pool

Justice Department moves to drop case against ex-Olympian charged with damaging Reflecting Pool

The Justice Department has moved to dismiss a criminal case charging a former Olympian with deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Government lawyers said in a 20-page court filing Friday evening that information provided since the indictment of David Hearn shows that the damage was the result of a “flawed installation by the contractor” as well as “the rush to complete the project prior to events associated with the America 250 celebration in the weeks surrounding Independence Day 2026.” Hearn’s lawyers say the case against him should never have been brought.