Justice Department Clears Patriotic Olympian, Highlights Contractor Error in Reflecting Pool Renovation
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A federal filing confirms the $14 million Reflecting Pool repair, started under the Trump administration, was undermined by contractor missteps, leading prosecutors to drop the unjust charge against ex-Olympian David Hearn.
The U.S. Justice Department has acknowledged that the $14 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a project launched with patriotic intent under the Trump administration, was compromised by a contractor’s faulty installation, prompting the dismissal of the criminal case against former Olympian David Hearn. The District of Columbia U.S. Attorney’s Office’s filing revealed that only after Hearn’s indictment did the Interior Department provide documents showing the real issue was a rushed job by Atlantic Industrial Coatings, who failed to meet the high standards expected for such a historic site in preparation for the America 250 celebrations.
"It was not until after the return of the indictment [of Hearn], that the [Department of Interior] provided additional documents to the [US Attorney’s Office in DC] indicating that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in June 2026 was the result of flawed installation by the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, and the rush to complete the project prior to events associated with the America 250 celebration," the office wrote.
Hearn’s legal team blasted the prosecution, rightly demanding an apology for the government’s overreach in targeting a patriotic American who had done nothing wrong.
"The Trump administration’s case against David Hearn should never have been brought. Its dismissal today does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong. The government’s approach was ready, fire, aim. The administration owes Mr. Hearn an apology," the attorneys said.
Atlantic Industrial Coatings, the contractor responsible for the subpar work, declined to comment on the filing.