In a dramatic reversal of a high-profile case that sparked accusations of government overreach, federal prosecutors in Washington DC have formally dismissed all vandalism charges against former Olympic canoe champion David Hearn, concluding that damage to the iconic Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was caused not by deliberate misconduct, but by flawed, rushed construction work overseen by the Trump administration.
The court filing, submitted Friday by US Attorney for Washington DC Jeanine Pirro, lays out how new evidence from the US Department of the Interior (DOI) upended the original case against Hearn. Prosecutors confirm the new information strongly points to a botched installation of the pool’s new sealant and paint, completed as part of a $13 million renovation project rushed to meet a deadline ahead of the United States’ 250th Independence Day celebration in July 2026.
Hearn was arrested last month after telling authorities he had simply touched the surface of the pool following a casual bike ride near the National Mall. At the time of his arrest, he faced up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted on the vandalism charges. Hearn has consistently maintained his innocence, telling the BBC prior to the dismissal that he “didn’t destroy, rip, tear, peel, or remove any part” of the pool’s coating.
Hearn was not the only individual targeted in the crackdown on reported damage to the landmark. A senior administration official previously confirmed to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, that four other people were arrested on vandalism charges, and an additional five received police citations. Former President Donald Trump himself publicly claimed one suspect had used a blade to cut a 250-foot gash into the pool’s newly finished surface.
The $13 million renovation project was launched this spring to address longstanding structural issues, including persistent leaks and structural degradation at the decades-old Reflecting Pool. Trump positioned the overhaul as a centerpiece of his administration’s effort to beautify the nation’s capital ahead of the historic 250th independence anniversary. But problems emerged almost immediately after work wrapped up: the pool continued to suffer from problematic algae overgrowth, and large sections of the new blue sealant began peeling off within days of application.
Prosecutors acknowledged in Friday’s filing that they only gained access to internal DOI documents showing the damage stemmed from contractor error after charges had already been filed against Hearn. “It was not until after these documents were produced that [prosecutors] first became aware of information showing that the damage was the result of a botched installation and not vandalism as initially represented by DOI,” the filing reads.
In a statement following the dismissal, Hearn’s legal team slammed the Trump administration for what they called blatant abuse of power. The case “should have never been brought,” the statement said, adding that “its dismissal today does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong. The government’s approach was ready, fire, aim.” The legal team added that the Trump administration “owes Mr Hearn an apology” for the wrongful prosecution.
Hearn has not yet issued a public response to requests for comment from the BBC. The Reflecting Pool has now been drained for the second time in three months to address the ongoing issues, and remains empty as officials assess how to correct the botched work.