{"id":2616746,"date":"2026-06-20T15:30:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T19:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-park-police-arrest-former-olympian-for-vandalism-of-reflecting-pool\/"},"modified":"2026-06-20T15:31:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T19:31:33","slug":"us-park-police-arrest-former-olympian-for-vandalism-of-reflecting-pool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-park-police-arrest-former-olympian-for-vandalism-of-reflecting-pool\/","title":{"rendered":"US Park Police arrest former Olympian for vandalism of Reflecting Pool"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fus-park-police-arrest-former-olympian-for-vandalism-of-reflecting-pool%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2616746&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A cyclist and former Olympian, David Hearn, was arrested by U.S. Park Police on a misdemeanor charge of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ice-uncovers-identity-theft-scheme-used-at-omaha-glenn-valley-foods-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"ICE uncovers identity theft scheme used at Omaha Glenn Valley Foods - ...\">damaging government property<\/a> after allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Hearn claimed he only touched a loose piece of the pool\u2019s liner to feel it and denied tampering with the hoses used by workers, though he acknowledged his bike might have made contact. President Donald Trump accused an ABC News journalist, Jonathan Karl, of peeling the pool\u2019s coating, blaming vandals for algae growth and damage. The reflecting Pool,which was recently refurbished at a high cost,has <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >faced scrutiny due<\/a> to peeling lining and algae issues. Hearn is scheduled to appear in court on July 9. The incident drew meaningful media attention, highlighting concerns about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/zimbabwes-electric-grid-collapses-causing-nationwide-blackout\/\" title=\"Zimbabwe&#039;s Electric Grid Collapses, Causing Nationwide Blackout\">refurbishment work<\/a> and it&#8217;s durability.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. Park <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/police\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"211\">Police<\/a> arrested a cyclist and former <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/olympics\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"296\">Olympian<\/a> for allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">David Hearn, 67, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property. President Donald Trump has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4617547\/trump-blame-abc-reporter-vandal-reflecting-pool\/\">blamed vandals<\/a> for causing the issues at the Reflecting Pool, where algae has made the pool appear bright green.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4617547\/trump-blame-abc-reporter-vandal-reflecting-pool\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump blames ABC reporter and vandals for peeling Reflecting Pool and algae growth<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4617468\/kennedy-center-no-new-show-judge-block-shutdown\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Kennedy Center says it will not host new shows after judge blocks two-year shutdown<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4617090\/trump-new-air-force-one-dc-flyover-july-4\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump reveals new Air Force One will fly over DC on July 4<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hearn claimed he only reached into the pool to feel a detached piece of the pool\u2019s liner to see what it felt like, according to the <em>Washington Post<\/em>. The cyclist also denied touching the hose used by government workers, but acknowledged his bike might have.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump blamed an ABC News journalist Friday night for peeling the pool\u2019s coating.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLightweight ABC Reporter, Jonathan Karl, was seen sticking his hand into the Pool, and trying to rip the rubber off of the surface,\u201d the president said. \u201cThe algae is 75% gone, and the condition will soon be completely remedied, and the area that was vandalized, fortunately, is just a small area of damage, and will be fixed early next week.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hearn is a three-time Olympian who won two World Championships in white water racing. He retired from active competition in 2002.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cyclist will appear in front of the D.C. Superior Court on July 9.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\" style=\"--aspect-ratio:calc(696 \/ 464)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Worker cleans algae from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington on June 18, 2026. (Graeme Jennings\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">A worker scrubs algae from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, June 19, 2026. (Graeme Jennings\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Blue paint peeling from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington on June 18, 2026. (Graeme Jennings\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Workers scoop algae from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington on June 18, 2026. (Graeme Jennings\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">A worker scrubs algae from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Friday, June 19, 2026, in Washington. (Graeme Jennings, Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\">\n<figure><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Blue paint peeling from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington on June 18, 2026. (Graeme Jennings\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4617547\/trump-blame-abc-reporter-vandal-reflecting-pool\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4617547\">TRUMP BLAMES ABC REPORTER AND VANDALS FOR PEELING REFLECTING POOL AND ALGAE GROWTH<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Reflecting Pool became the center of national attention after Trump ordered it refurbished, complaining it had become dirty and unpleasant. The multi-million-dollar refurbishment drew heavy scrutiny from left-wing critics, who have closely monitored the site since new lining was installed and painted over.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lining has been pictured peeling off in places, and some parts floating on the surface.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cyclist, ex-Olympian, arrested for vandalizing Lincoln Pool<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2616747,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26164836438272.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[51050,4825,78950,81481,16384],"class_list":["post-2616746","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-law-enforcement-2","tag-olympics","tag-reflecting-pool","tag-us-park-police","tag-vandalism"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26164836438272.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2616746","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2616746"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2616746\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2616750,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2616746\/revisions\/2616750"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2616747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2616746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2616746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2616746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}