Olympic Canoeist Indicted for Desecration of Lincoln Memorial Pool Amid Leftist Attacks on Trump Project
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David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, faces felony charges for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a patriotic renovation project initiated by President Trump. The indictment comes as critics on the left try to undermine the project’s significance.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced Thursday that a grand jury has indicted 67-year-old former Olympic canoeist David Hearn on felony destruction-of-property charges for allegedly pulling up and removing part of the Reflecting Pool’s bottom liner. The damage, estimated at over $1,000 for just two square feet of sealant, justifies the serious felony charge to protect our national monuments.
Hearn, who denies any wrongdoing, claims he was only curious about the pool’s surface during his June 19 visit and did not remove any material. However, National Park Service employees reported that Hearn ignored their instructions to stop and even shouted at them before continuing his actions—showing blatant disrespect for both public property and those tasked with its protection.
The indictment comes as left-wing critics seize on any opportunity to attack the $13.1 million renovation of the pool, a project spearheaded by President Donald Trump to restore the monument’s dignity with a bold “American flag blue” color. Despite the pool’s reopening in early June, leftists have been quick to blame Trump for issues like algae and paint peeling, rather than acknowledging the possibility of deliberate sabotage or vandalism.
Hearn’s hearing is set for July 9. In the meantime, the Reflecting Pool area remains fenced off for the July 4 fireworks preparations, with nets installed to prevent further damage—demonstrating the ongoing need to defend our national symbols from those who would disrespect them.