Former Olympian indicted by a grand jury for reaching into reflecting pool after Trump threatened YEARS in jail for vandalism

By LAUREN ACTON-TAYLOR, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 19:35, 2 July 2026 | Updated: 19:50, 2 July 2026 Former US Olympian David Hearn was indicted by a grand jury Thursday after he was arrested in Washington, DC, at the reflecting pool for reaching into the waters.  The Olympian, 62, was arrested last month following accusations that he had damaged the fresh paint job championed by President Donald Trump in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. His attorney told CNN Thursday that they were unaware of any developments in Hearn's case past a previous citation for misdemeanor charges that Hearn had been served. Following numerous arrests, Trump threatened serious jail time for anyone vandalizing the pool following his expensive renovations.  The President blasted liberal vandals on Truth Social for the damage at the renovated pool, as its 'American flag blue' had begun to peel away from the bottom.  'Who would do such a thing? These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments. Years in jail,' he wrote.   Hearn previously told the Daily Mail his arrest and the charges were a farce intended to boost a false narrative as he shared an image of the pool's damaged facade.  David Hearn, 62, is a former Olympian who has reportedly been indicted following his arrest for allegedly vandalizing the recently renovated Reflecting Pool in Washington DC  The Reflecting Pool renovations were completed on June 6, but algae blooms started appearing, and the paint started peeling less than two weeks later  Donald Trump claimed protesters at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool could face 'years in jail' after being arrested this weekend 'It's a completely unfounded accusation. It's a lie,' Hearn said over the phone. 'I didn't rip, tear, destruct, destroy, or harm in any way, any part of the reflecting pool.'  Hearn admitted to touching a 'loose flap of coating,' but claimed he did so purely because he was 'curious as a concerned citizen.'  President Trump championed the $16 million renovation as part of his goal to beautify Washington, DC, ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.  But less than two weeks after the project was completed, the newly refinished paint job began peeling, and algae blooms turned the water green. Trump admitted over the weekend that the pool may need to be drained for repairs.  'They clearly wanted a news story that they could promote that was centered around vandals damaging the reflecting pool,' Hearn said, adamant that he did nothing wrong.  'Officers were ready to arrest me and other people they found who they could have some contrived basis of charges on to accuse them of vandalism,' Hearn said.  The Olympian had also shared a photo he had taken of the peeling paint moments before his arrest.  Video of Hearn's arrest shows the Olympian standing by the Reflecting Pool with his bike before getting approached by two National Guard soldiers. The video then shows him walking over to four police officers and a third National Guard soldier. Video of Hearn's arrest shows the Olympian standing by the Reflecting Pool with his bike before getting approached by two National Guard soldiers. The video then shows him walking over to four police officers and a third National Guard soldier Hearn took this photo of the peeling paint shortly before he was arrested. He said that he merely touched it and denied damaging it in any way A fifth officer dressed in a white shirt – identified by Hearn as Lieutenant Stone – can then be seen talking to the Olympian, whose hands were cuffed behind his back. Hearn said Stone 'seemed to be the driving force behind the arrest.'  In a statement to the Daily Mail, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers replied to Hearn's claims and said: 'It is despicable that after attempting to vandalize a national monument, this deranged individual suffering from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome would disparage the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect the public and our nation’s capital.'  Trump later went on a longer screed against the vandals, accusing them of using 'corrosive and destructive' chemicals to ruin the pool. 'Many additional people have been arrested having to do with the disgraceful Vandalism of our beautiful Reflecting Pool,' he said, claiming they were ruining a monument that 'hasn't looked or worked like this since 1922.'  Trump added that he needed to speak to contractors, who promised to fix the problem but said they will 'probably be forced to release and drain much of the water in order to do the necessary repairs.' He accused the vandals of using knives to stab a '250 foot long gash' into the pool, while also pouring 'corrosive and destructive chemicals' into it.    'We are very proud of what we have done with this magnificent structure, and we will get it repaired, quickly, to an equal level of Beauty,' he said.  The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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