Justice Department acknowledges flaws in Reflecting Pool renovation and dismisses case against former Olympian

The U.S. Justice Department has conceded that the $14 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, initiated under the Trump administration, suffered from defective installation, prompting the dismissal of the criminal case against former Olympian David Hearn. The filing by the District of Columbia U.S. Attorney’s Office indicated that Interior Department documents obtained after Hearn’s indictment showed the damage stemmed from a rushed job by contractor Atlantic Industrial Coatings ahead of the America 250 celebrations surrounding Independence Day 2026.

"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 responded that the prosecution should never have been pursued and called for an apology from the government.

"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 declined to comment on the filing when contacted.