Former three-time Olympian David Hearn, 67, was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for destruction of government property after allegedly touching a loose piece of the Reflecting Pool's new blue coating. Hearn, a champion canoeist, denies vandalizing the pool, stating he merely touched a "delaminated" part out of curiosity, given his background in materials science. He claims he did not damage, rip, tear, peel, or remove any part of the paint, insisting the pool's condition remained unchanged after his interaction. His arrest occurred after he reached into the water to examine the peeling paint, a problem that emerged shortly after the pool's recent multi-million dollar renovation.
The Reflecting Pool's renovation, estimated to cost between $13 million and $14.8 million, was championed by President Donald Trump as part of an effort to beautify the capital. Despite the significant investment, the pool has faced issues with algae and peeling blue paint, which has been documented by media and visitors. Trump, without providing evidence, claimed vandals had defaced the pool, asserting that "corrosive and destructive chemicals" were poured in and a "250 foot long gash" was made with a knife or blade. He also suggested the pool might need to be drained and refilled again due to the damage.
Hearn, who was detained for five hours and not read his rights or allowed a phone call, is scheduled to appear in court on July 9. He considers his arrest an "arbitrary, capricious prosecution" and feels "targeted" by the Trump administration. His attorney, Norm Eisen, stated that Hearn plans to fight the charge, which carries a potential fine of up to $100,000 or one year in jail if property damage does not exceed $100. Eisen also suggested that using the criminal justice system to target innocent individuals is a form of authoritarian behavior and a distraction from questions about the project's management, including alleged corrupt no-bid contracts.
Administration officials have reported that as of Saturday night, five individuals were arrested for vandalism and five others were issued citations related to the Reflecting Pool. Hearn's arrest has drawn attention to his past political contributions, with reports indicating he donated to ActBlue, a Democratic fundraising network, and Barack Obama's presidential campaigns. Hearn, however, asserts he has significant support, with several law firms offering pro bono counsel to vigorously defend against the charges.
