Prosecutors Drop Charges in Reflecting Pool Case

US prosecutors have formally dropped vandalism charges against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, acknowledging that the peeling lining at Washington DC's Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was caused by a botched installation rather than intentional destruction.

The decision marks a sharp shift in a case that became a national flashpoint over President Donald Trump's initiatives to overhaul the capital's iconic landmarks. Hearn, 67, had been arrested and hit with a felony destruction of property charge after reaching into the water while out on a bike ride. Prosecutors originally accused him of intentionally tearing away the pool's new blue liner, leaving him facing up to 10 years behind bars.

However, court documents submitted by US Attorney Jeanine Pirro and Assistant US Attorney Michael Spence reveal that internal records from the Department of the Interior (DOI) show the damage was actually caused by contractor errors during a rushed renovation project leading up to the 250th American independence anniversary celebrations.

Prosecutors Point Finger at Rushed Renovation Work

The 2,000-foot landmark underwent an estimated $14.7 million to $16 million overhaul to apply a fresh "American flag blue" seal. However, within days of completion, the site was hit by heavy algae growth that turned the water green, which was accompanied by widespread peeling of the newly installed liner material.

According to the legal motion to dismiss the charges, the primary contractor Atlantic Industrial Coatings (AIC) oversaw a "rushed and botched installation" which was marked by recurring lining failures. Federal prosecutors stated that the project suffered from "the rush to complete the project prior to events associated with the America 250 celebration in the weeks surrounding Independence Day 2026".

The filings also hit out at the Department of the Interior for withholding critical internal documents about the construction problems until after prosecutors had already secured a grand jury indictment.

"DOI provided less than fulsome information at the outset of this case," the court filing said. "Had DOI been forthcoming with the information clearly in its possession, the government would not have sought a grand jury indictment."

The document noted that: "The information subsequently demanded by USAO and disclosed by DOI - which was not known to the prosecutors or the grand jury before the return of the indictment - strongly suggest that a rushed and botched installation by AIC, the primary contractor, led to the damage to the lining of the Reflecting Pool."

Hearn's Defense Slams 'Abuse of Power'

Hearn maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, explaining that he simply touched a segment of the lining that had already detached from the pool floor while he was riding his bike nearby.

His legal team released a firm response criticizing the administration's handling of the prosecution, stating that the case "should have never 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 defense added that the administration "owes Mr Hearn an apology" for bringing the false accusations. At least three other individuals faced vandalism charges in connection with the site, while five others received police citations.

Trump Defies Justice Department Findings

Despite his own Justice Department moving to drop the criminal case, President Trump publicly rejected the prosecutors' conclusions. Trump had previously blamed "sick, deranged" individuals for cutting massive gashes into the pool setup.

Taking to Truth Social on Saturday, Trump doubled down on his claims while conceding that contractor errors may have played a smaller secondary role:

"I disagree 100% with Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, on the Reflecting Pool," Trump wrote. "I don’t know what she was thinking? To me, it was a pure case of VANDALISM."

"There may have been some contractor difficulty, but the major damage was caused by VANDALS!" he added.

Trump later posted a U.S. Park Police video clip that he claimed captured people vandalizing the site, though the footage appears to show individuals merely touching pieces of the lining that were already coming loose.

With the pool drained once again, the landmark sits empty on the National Mall as officials figure out how to address the ongoing structural and coating issues.