Former Olympic Canoeist Arrested at Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Over Vandalism Allegations

A 67-year-old former Olympic canoeist is in custody following an incident at one of Washington, D.C.'s most iconic landmarks.

David Carter "Davey" Hearn was taken into custody by United States Park Police on Friday, June 19, on suspicion of destroying government property at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

According to Hearn's account to the Washington Post, he was simply passing by on his bicycle when he stopped to observe the pool. He says he reached down to touch a piece of the pool's liner that was already coming loose and still attached at the bottom. "I didn't remove anything," Hearn stated, adding that he never made contact with a hose that workers were using to address algae buildup.

Media personality Emily Miller's account of the incident differed, with her alleging that Hearn grabbed a hose that National Park Service staff members were operating to clear algae from the pool, prompting response from police and the National Guard.

Hearn pushed back against the vandalism characterization. "I didn't vandalize anything. I didn't destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs," he told the Washington Post. He acknowledged that his bike tire may have made contact with the hose, but maintained he did not intentionally interfere with the cleaning equipment.

Video footage of the detention circulated widely online.

Hearn is scheduled to appear in D.C. Superior Court on July 9.

Following the viral spread of the incident, President Donald Trump weighed in on the matter via TruthSocial, framing the pool damage as part of a broader pattern. Trump stated that he and his administration have overseen the cleaning, renovation, and beautification of over 45 monuments and memorials, 28 statues, and 22 fountains throughout Washington, D.C.

Trump claimed that vandals have repeatedly targeted the Reflecting Pool's newly installed surface with chemicals, similar to damage done to grass outside the pool three days prior. He noted that algae levels have decreased by 75 percent and that repairs to the vandalized area would be completed early the following week.

Trump attributed the vandalism to "Radical Left Lunatics" and "most likely Dumocats," and referenced an incident involving ABC reporter Jonathan Karl, alleging the journalist was seen attempting to damage the pool's rubber surface. Law enforcement, according to Trump's post, was actively investigating the incidents at the site.