A former US Olympic athlete, David "Davey" Hearn, a three-time canoeist, has been charged with allegedly causing damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after authorities claimed he pulled off a piece of sealant during renovations that President Donald Trump had championed. The incident occurred on June 19th, 2026, at the National Mall in Washington D.C., where Hearn reportedly damaged approximately $1,000 worth of property and faces felony charges for destruction of property. Hearn maintains his innocence, stating that he only touched previously damaged material out of curiosity, while authorities assert that this was a deliberate act aimed at vandalizing the pool. The Reflecting Pool, constructed in the 1920s and stretching 2,030ft between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, has faced persistent problems such as leaks, structural deterioration, faulty pipes, algae growth, and bird droppings despite undergoing a $14 million renovation project. Five people have been arrested for vandalism in connection with the Reflecting Pool, and five others were issued federal citations, according to US Park Police. President Trump had expressed concern over the vandalized pool on social media, promising immediate action to fix it, describing the act as "SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE!"