Ex-Olympic athlete charged with vandalism at Washington's Reflecting Pool

A former U.S. Olympic canoeist has been charged with vandalism for allegedly damaging the lining of the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. David Hearn is accused of intentionally damaging the pool's liner on June 19, with prosecutors stating he acted with "malicious intent." The charges carry a potential maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a fine for destroying property valued at over $1,000.

Hearn's attorneys have denied the allegations, accusing the Trump administration of treating normal behavior as a crime. According to CNN, Hearn told Reuters that he stopped at the pool after a bike ride and reached into the water to feel the new coating, which he described as peeling. "I am a curious citizen," Hearn stated, adding that he was detained for nearly five hours before being released.

The incident occurred shortly after workers completed a project ordered by then-President Donald Trump to install a new lining, which Trump called "American-flag blue," in time for the July 4th Independence Day celebrations. The project, which involved draining and painting the pool, cost approximately $14.2 million. However, shortly after the renovation, the pool turned green again, leading critics to question the quality of the work and allege that the contract was awarded without a bidding process.

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I am a curious citizen.