Former Olympian Questions Fairness in Reflecting Pool Trial

WHO:

ABC News - David Hearn, a former Olympian and canoeist, is charged with deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

ABC News - Hearn's attorneys are involved in seeking access to grand jury testimony.

ABC News - U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office is mentioned in relation to the case.

ABC News - Trump, a Republican, is referenced regarding the renovation project of the Reflecting Pool.

WHAT:

ABC News - Hearn is charged with one felony count of property destruction, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

ABC News - Hearn pleaded not guilty to the charge.

ABC News - The charge alleges that Hearn caused at least $1,000 in damage to the Reflecting Pool.

ABC News - Hearn's attorneys requested a court order for the government to turn over a complete transcript of all grand jury proceedings.

ABC News - At least three other individuals have been charged with misdemeanors for allegedly removing pieces of paint from the pool.

WHERE:

ABC News - The incident occurred at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C.

ABC News - Hearn resides in Bethesda, Maryland.

WHEN:

ABC News - Hearn's trial is scheduled to start on September 28 in D.C. Superior Court.

ABC News - Hearn was detained on June 19 by National Guard troops and U.S. Park Police.

WHY:

ABC News - Hearn's attorneys argue that the prosecution is politically motivated and an attempt to deflect blame from the Trump administration.

ABC News - Hearn's lawyers question the adequacy of evidence presented to the grand jury regarding the damage attributed to Hearn.

HOW:

ABC News - Hearn's attorneys are seeking access to grand jury testimony to support their claims of irregularities in the proceedings.

NBC News - A key grand jury witness testified that the Reflecting Pool was already damaged and would have required repairs regardless of Hearn's actions.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 01:30 UTC)

David Hearn, a former Olympian and canoeist, has been charged with a felony count of property destruction for allegedly causing at least $1,000 in damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, with a maximum prison sentence of 10 years if convicted. Hearn, who has pleaded not guilty, is seeking access to grand jury testimony as his attorneys argue that the prosecution is politically motivated and question the evidence against him, while his trial is set to begin on September 28 in D.C. Superior Court. Additionally, at least three other individuals have been charged with misdemeanors for allegedly removing paint from the pool, and a key witness has testified that the Reflecting Pool was already in need of repairs prior to Hearn's actions.