1 of 2 | A view of the drained Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the USAA National Military Monument from the Lincoln Memorial on July 28, 2025 in Washington, D.C. The reflecting pool was drained between July 13th and 14th to clean up algae blooms and repair the peeling pool liner. File Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- A D.C. judge has dismissed the Lincoln Reflecting Pool vandalism case against U.S. Olympian David Hearn, according to court documents filed Thursday afternoon.
A grand jury charged Hearn with one felony count of destruction of property early last month, alleging that the 67-year-old willfully ripped up a piece of recently installed blue pool sealant from the Lincoln Reflecting Pool, which President Donald Trump had recently ordered renovated.
The alleged incident involving Hearn occurred June 19 as videos were posted online showing its surface green with algae and blue paint seemingly peeling from the bottom of the pool. Trump claimed vandalism and vowed those responsible would be held to account.
In his order filed Thursday afternoon, Associate Judge Todd Edelman dismissed the case but allowed litigation to continue over whether the dismissal should be with or without prejudice.
