Former Olympian Challenges Misdemeanor Charge Over Lincoln Memorial Incident

A former Olympian, David Hearn, plans to contest a misdemeanor charge after being accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Hearn, 67, argues that his actions do not meet the legal definition of a crime.

Hearn, who resides in Bethesda, Maryland, was detained by National Guard troops and U.S. Park Police for five hours. The incident occurred after he allegedly tried to inspect paint peeling from the Reflecting Pool during a $14 million renovation.

“I did nothing wrong,” Hearn stated in a brief Newsweek interview, regarding the charge of destruction of government property.

President Donald Trump had previously indicated that six people were arrested and another seven cited for alleged damage to the pool. Hearn remarked, “I think I might be the only person whose name is public of those arrests or citations.”

Newsweek sought comments from the U.S. Park Police, National Park Service, Department of Justice, and Department of Interior.

Hearn expressed concern over being targeted by the administration. Trump had commented about unsubstantiated vandalism claims, including fertilizer dumping and a 350-foot gash made in the pool’s liner.

“I feel like I was targeted and I’m feeling singled out,” Hearn commented, worried about the potential jail time.

Hearn’s attorney, Norm Eisen, stated the intent to fight the charge, which could result in a fine of up to $100,000 or a year in jail if property damage expenses don’t exceed $100. “Treating ordinary conduct as criminal diverts attention from the real questions of how this project was managed,” Eisen mentioned in a Newsweek statement.

Trump, through Truth Social, detailed the vandalism, including a knife-made 350-foot slash in the pool liner and additional damage to nearby grass. He asserted both were acts of premeditated vandalism.

Hearn had previously admitted to reaching into the pool to handle a liner piece, claiming, “I didn’t vandalize anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs.”