Olympic Athlete Accused of Damaging Trump-Renovated Pool Faces 10 Years in Prison

Washington's reflecting pool, recently renovated at Donald Trump's behest, has become the center of a contentious legal battle. David Hearn, a 67-year-old former Olympic kayaker, has been indicted for criminal destruction of public property. Prosecutors allege Hearn deliberately and forcefully tore off the pool's new lining. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.

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I didn’t remove anything, I didn’t damage anything, I didn’t pull anything, I didn’t tear anything, nor did I break or damage any part of the reflecting pool.

Hearn, who competed in the Barcelona, Atlanta, and Sydney Olympics, maintains his innocence. He claims that while cycling near the Lincoln Memorial, he stopped to inspect the pool, which was already reportedly covered in algae and peeling lining. He states he merely touched a loose piece of the coating that was already detached, asserting he did not pull, tear, or damage anything.

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Today a grand jury has handed down an indictment against David Hearn for criminal destruction, for which he faces ten years in prison.

Following his arrest by National Park police, Hearn was surrounded by National Guard soldiers. The incident gained political traction when Donald Trump publicly called it "sabotage," suggesting the lining was cut with a weapon. Trump threatened severe penalties for those responsible, though no evidence was presented to support these claims. Hearn's legal team has denounced the charges as a political fabrication and a scandal that should concern all Americans.

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He went down into the pool. According to testimony from National Park employees, he violently and with force pulled and tore the lining with both hands.