The Trump administration has dropped its felony property destruction case against former U.S. Olympian David Hearn after federal prosecutors acknowledged that the damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was caused by faulty construction—not vandalism.
In a court filing, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said newly disclosed evidence showed the damage resulted from a “flawed installation by the contractor” and a rushed renovation project, rather than any actions by Hearn. Prosecutors said documents from the Department of the Interior revealed that the pool’s liner had begun failing because of installation defects before Hearn ever visited the site.
Hearn had faced a felony charge after President Donald Trump publicly blamed vandals for damaging the recently renovated Reflecting Pool, calling for those responsible to be prosecuted. The case centered on allegations that Hearn intentionally damaged the pool by pulling at a section of the liner during a bike ride through Washington, D.C.
The dismissal marks a dramatic reversal for the Justice Department. Pirro also criticized the delayed release of key information about the contractor’s work, saying prosecutors were not provided with evidence showing the renovation had been improperly installed until after the indictment had already been secured. Hearn’s attorneys have argued that he was wrongfully accused and are calling for an apology, saying the case should never have been brought.