D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman permanently dismissed a felony property destruction charge on Thursday against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn. The ruling, issued with prejudice, prevents federal prosecutors from refiling charges related to the alleged June vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Judge Edelman cited "exceptional circumstances," noting that the dismissal was necessary to protect the defendant from a prosecution the judge described as lacking merit and influenced by political pressure.
Hearn, 67, was arrested in June 2026 after he allegedly touched the pool’s newly installed blue lining while on a bike ride. The government initially charged him with felony destruction of property, alleging more than $1,000 in damages. However, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro moved to drop the case in late July after Department of the Interior and National Park Service reports indicated the damage resulted from "botched installation" rather than vandalism.
President Trump publicly criticized the decision to drop the charges, stating on social media that Pirro had "choked" and "folded like an umbrella." The president and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum maintained that vandals caused the peeling. Judge Edelman’s 26-page ruling addressed this pressure, writing that the case should be closed because of the risk that prosecutors might "eventually yield" to the president’s public campaign or be replaced by those who would.
The renovation project involved more than $10 million in federal funds intended for renovations ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday. Reports from the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, indicated that workers used incompatible chemicals and insufficient primer on the "American Flag Blue" sealant. While the government admitted no crime occurred, the disagreement over the cause of the damage led to a months-long legal struggle for Hearn and three other defendants who also saw their charges dropped.
For the general public, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool remains empty and fenced off for repairs following the failed renovation. There is currently no public timeline for when the landmark will be refilled or reopened to visitors. The court’s decision concludes the criminal aspect of the case for Hearn, though the physical repairs to the site are ongoing. Hearn’s legal team stated the ruling allows him to move forward with his life.