David Hearn, a 67-year-old Olympic canoeist, has been accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. Hearn, who represented the United States in three Summer Olympics, was arrested by U.S. Park Police on Saturday. He denied the allegations, stating that he only touched the pool to examine the peeling coating after a park worker informed him about it. Hearn described himself as a 'curious citizen' and mentioned that he briefly touched a rubbery chunk of the coating before letting go.
Hearn has a history with the U.S. Park Police, having been arrested nearly 30 years ago for paddling in the Potomac River during a flood, a case he won on a technicality. His recent arrest occurred after he completed a 52-mile bike ride and stopped by the Reflecting Pool. He was surrounded by National Guard troops and U.S. Park Police officers shortly after reaching into the water. Hearn was charged with a misdemeanor for destruction of government property.
In a statement, former President Trump claimed that multiple individuals were arrested for vandalizing the Reflecting Pool, alleging that corrosive chemicals were used to damage it. Hearn's court date is set for next month.