Ex-Olympic canoeist indicted for 'vandalising' Donald Trump’s $14m pool project

A former US Olympic canoeist has been indicted for allegedly vandalising a newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington.

David Hearn, 67, is accused of "maliciously" breaking or destroying lining material on the bottom of the pool on 19 June.

His lawyers denied the allegations following his arrest and accused President Donald Trump's administration of treating ordinary conduct as criminal.

The US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, alleged that Hearn ripped up recently-installed sealant in "a deliberate act" that caused more than $1,000 (£750) of damage.

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She added that Hearn "forcefully and violently" pulled up liner "with both hands" and acted belligerently towards an employee who told him to stop.

Ms Pirro said: "This is a case with tremendous evidence."

She added that authorities have made around six other misdemeanours arrests.

Hearn previously said he reached into the pool on 19 June to examine the newly peeled coating after stopping by the pool during a 67-mile bike ride.

Hearn, who owned a company that made composite materials used to build watercraft, said he was detained by National Guard troops and Park Police for five hours before being released.

Days before the incident, crews finished the Mr Trump-ordered project to lay down new liner the President had called "American flag blue" in time for celebrations that honour the 250th anniversary of US independence on 4 July.

Mr Trump launched the $14m (£10.5m) project to mark the anniversary after accusing his predecessors of allowing it to turn algae-stained green.

He promised it would go from being in "terrible shape" to looking "gorgeous" but just a few days after the new version, for which "American flag blue" was chosen, the pool turned a murky green again.

After workers treated it with chemicals to kill the algae, the painted blue lining on the bottom began to peel.

Last month, Mr Trump said on his Truth Social account: "We've had some real problems with vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool.

"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."

He acknowledged it will need to be repaired again to restore it to "an equal level of beauty".

(c) Sky News 2026: Ex-Olympic canoeist indicted for 'vandalising' Donald Trump’s $14m pool project