Former US Olympian pleads not guilty in Reflecting Pool vandalism case

WASHINGTON - A former U.S. Olympic canoeist pleaded not guilty on Thursday to vandalizing a portion of the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, in a case that has become a flashpoint over President Donald Trump’s efforts to remake Washington.

David “Davey” Hearn, 67, is facing a felony destruction of property charge after federal prosecutors alleged he intentionally damaged lining material at the bottom of the Reflecting Pool last month.

Hearn appeared in local Superior Court in Washington, D.C., to face the charge over the June 19 incident. His attorney Mary Dohrmann entered the plea during a brief hearing.

Hearn has acknowledged reaching into the Reflecting Pool while cycling in the area and touching a piece of pool liner that was already partially detached, but he denied removing anything from the pool.

Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean ordered Hearn released without any conditions. 

Hearn, a three-time U.S. Olympian, walked out of the courthouse to shouts of “Davey, Davey” from roughly two dozen supporters who gathered outside. They cheered as another of his lawyers, Norm Eisen, told the crowd that Hearn pleaded not guilty “because he is not guilty.”

“If Mr. Hearn can be charged with a felony for touching the Reflecting Pool, every American is at risk,” Eisen told the crowd. “Every American should be alarmed about this prosecution. 

The 2,000-foot-long pool, a centerpiece of Washington’s National Mall, had been refurbished with an “American flag blue” liner at Trump’s request as part of the 250th anniversary celebration of U.S. independence.

The renovated pool quickly developed blooms of algae that tinted the water green, while pieces of the blue lining peeled off. Trump, facing criticism over the $14.7 million renovation, blamed the problems on vandals who he alleged had intentionally sabotaged the project.

Jeanine Pirro, the Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, announced a criminal indictment against Hearn earlier this month, casting the case as an effort to protect U.S. monuments.

Pirro alleged that Hearn had intentionally pulled at the liner, damaging a 2-square-foot piece and inflicting more than $1,000 in damage. The destruction of property charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.

Lawyers for Hearn argued that he is innocent and that the Trump administration brought criminal charges to distract attention from what they called a botched renovation.

In the days following the renovation, Trump alleged that vandals poured chemicals in the pool to spawn algae and cut a 300-foot gash in the pool’s lining.

No one, Hearn included, has so far been formally accused of such actions.

At least three others are facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly peeling or removing bits of the blue coating, according to court records.

The Department of the Interior said at least six people were arrested for suspected vandalism of the pool in the weeks following the renovation. National Guard troops and U.S. Park Police were mobilized to keep watch at the pool, and it was enclosed in fencing for July 4 holiday celebrations.

Trump has said the pool will need to be partially drained again for repairs.

Federal grand jury indicts 8 over alleged plot to attack White House UFC event

A federal grand jury has indicted eight men over an alleged plot to attack the Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts event on the White House lawn in June, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement on Thursday.

All eight men were charged together on Thursday in a two-count indictment returned in Columbus, Ohio. The first arrest took place in Ohio. The Justice Department said the remaining defendants have also since been arrested.

They were aged from 19 to 32.

The indictment charged all of them in two conspiracies: “conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists” and “conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory and to murder a federal government official,” the Justice Department said.

The defendants allegedly planned to murder Trump, Vice President JD Vance, U.S. officials, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, billionaire Elon Musk and “other high value targets” at the event, the DOJ said.

Trump attended the event, which was staged without incident on his 80th birthday, along with several senior Republican lawmakers, donors and administration officials to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

Netanyahu did not attend the event.

The defendants could not be reached for comment.

The eight men allegedly participated in online chat groups and forums on Signal, SimpleX, Discord, TikTok and Instagram, the DOJ said.

The plot involved using explosive-laden drones to strike the north side of the White House with the aim of funneling attendees toward an exit where snipers planned to open fire on fleeing politicians and others, the FBI alleged last month.

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published July 9, 2026 at 12:22 PM.