The Trump administration announced felony charges against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn for alleged destruction of property related to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The indictment, filed on July 2, alleges that Hearn caused more than $1,000 in damage and could face up to 10 years in prison.

Attorney General Jeanine Pirro said a grand jury returned the indictment for felony destruction of property after National Park Service employees reported that Hearn pulled up and removed sealant from the pool’s bottom. She described the act as damaging roughly 2 square feet of pool sealant.

Hearn denied the allegations, stating he was curious about the pool on June 19 and did not remove any part of it. He was among at least seven individuals arrested in connection with the pool’s condition after a renovation project that applied a blue coating to the granite surface.

The Reflecting Pool had been closed for renovation in April under a no‑bid contract awarded by the administration. The pool reopened in early June, but an algae bloom and peeling paint were observed. The administration attributed the damage to vandalism, while critics said the visible issues were limited to the peeling paint and algae.

A hearing in Hearn’s case is scheduled for July 9. The pool remains fenced off while work continues to address algae and paint problems. Some visitors praised the administration’s renovation efforts, while others expressed skepticism about the indictment and the pool’s condition.