Olympian David Hearn has responded after being arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor destruction of government property, following the president’s warning that those responsible could face up to 10 years in prison.
Hearn, a 67-year-old three-time Olympic canoeist, was arrested on June 19 after stopping at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC while on a bike ride and reaching into the water to inspect a section of blue coating that was reportedly peeling away. He has denied damaging the site and said he was only checking the texture of the loose material.
Recent renovation work at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC reportedly cost $14 million, with the National Mall landmark drained and resurfaced as part of the project.
Trump also had the base painted what he described as ‘American flag blue’. But within weeks of the work being completed, the water began turning green due to algae, while parts of the new coating were said to be peeling.
The president has blamed those issues on alleged vandalism and posted the following message on Truth Social:
“We’ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool, which sits between The Washington Monument and The Lincoln Memorial.
“Just like three days ago, they destroyed the grass outside of the Pool, they’ve also done everything possible to hurt the inside surface that was just installed.
“No different than the chemicals that were used on the National Mall, they used something similar in the Reflecting Pool to try to destroy and demean our beautiful work.”
Hearn, a three-time Olympian, was later arrested over the allegations after stopping at the Reflecting Pool while out on a bike ride.
He has rejected the accusation that he caused damage, telling The Washington Post that he only placed his hand in the widely discussed pool to check its texture before being approached and arrested by US Park Police.
He also told the Daily Mail:
“It’s a completely unfounded accusation. We’ve already heard many lies from this administration…That’s just another lie.”
The 67-year-old said he touched a ‘loose flap of coating’ because he was ‘curious as a concerned citizen’.
Hearn has now been charged and is due to appear in DC Superior Court on July 9.
Trump has also publicly warned that anyone convicted over damage to the site could receive a lengthy prison term.
In another post on Truth Social on Tuesday, he wrote:
“Of the MANY Statues and Fountains that we rebuilt, renovated, cleaned, and fixed, the only one that was Vandalized was the Reflecting Pool, which is being taken care of, ASAP!
“It has been given a 300 foot long gash, chemicals have been illegally placed in the water, and the beautiful new grass field has been destroyed with a gigantic 86 47 chemically carved into it (Probably inspired by Dirty Cop, James Comey!).
“Please remember that there is a 10 year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things – Which will be fully enforced!”