WASHINGTON — David Hearn pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of destruction of property in D.C. Superior Court on July 9, 2026. The charge stems from his June 19 arrest for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a site that underwent a $14 million to $16 million renovation ordered by President Donald Trump ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Hearn, a 67-year-old former U.S. Olympic canoeist who competed in the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Olympics, was indicted on July 2, 2026, on a single count of felony destruction of property. The indictment alleges he caused more than $1,000 in damage to the pool, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison if convicted.

According to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, National Park Service employees observed Hearn forcefully pulling up and removing the bottom liner of the pool with both hands. Pirro added that witnesses reported Hearn damaged approximately 2 square feet of sealant from the bottom of the pool. She also stated that a National Park Service employee told Hearn to stop, and Hearn reacted by shouting at the employee.

Hearn offered a different account of the incident. He stated he stopped by the pool during a 64-mile bike ride and was arrested after reaching down into the water. He said he reached into the pool to examine newly peeled coating out of curiosity and briefly touched a chunk of coating attached to the side of the pool but did not remove, tear, or destroy any of it. Hearn also stated he obeyed a park worker who told him to let go of the coating and that he was detained for five hours after the incident.

At the July 9 hearing, Judge Carmen McLean released Hearn on his own recognizance. His attorneys, Mary Dohrmann and Norm Eisen, requested a status hearing and trial date and advocated for release with no restrictions. Dohrmann, senior counsel at Washington Litigation Group, opposed the government’s request for a stay away, no contact order. Eisen, co-founder and executive chair of Democracy Defenders Fund, is also representing Hearn.

A status hearing in the case is scheduled for August 5, 2026.