Washington Judge Cautions Administration Over Ongoing Reflecting Pool Work Amid Vandalism Probe

A U.S. district judge in Washington, D.C., told the Trump administration that persisting with repairs to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool may be “operating at its own peril” as prosecutors gather evidence in a case against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn. Hearn, 67, is scheduled to stand trial on September 28 for allegedly damaging the pool’s liner. He maintains that he only touched a section of the liner that was already peeling and did not cause further damage.

The pool, which has been drained for repairs, shows no clear signs of vandalism according to reporters who inspected the site, though some experts note peeling in several areas that could reflect installation issues. At least seven individuals have been arrested in connection with the investigation.

Attorney Norm Eisen, representing Hearn, argued that the prosecution is politically motivated, describing his client as a scapegoat for the administration’s handling of the repair project. The pool’s renovation has encountered escalating costs, persistent algae growth, and concerns about the liner’s condition, with total expenditures estimated at $16 million. The broader federal construction agenda in Washington includes multiple high-profile projects, collectively projected to cost around $1.2 billion.