Reflecting Pool vandalism charges against Olympic canoeist David Hearn permanently dismissed
October 1, 2026 / 11:52 AM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- The criminal indictment against U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn has been permanently dismissed by a Washington D.C. judge.
- Federal prosecutors admitted that the alleged vandalism to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was caused by a contractor's "botched installation" of a sealant.
- Hearn had been charged with felony destruction of government property after being accused of damaging the pool's sealant.
- The judge ruled that continuing the prosecution against Hearn would be "meritless, politically motivated."
- The project to renovate the pool was championed by President Trump, who had personally selected the sealant's color.
- The New York Times reported that the contractor admitted to insufficient primer and incompatible chemicals in the pool liner.
- President Trump had publicly criticized the decision to drop the charges, insisting the damage was caused by vandals.