David Hearn, 67, a longtime masters bike racer for the Washington, D.C.-based Artemis Racing club, was arrested by U.S. Park Police on Friday 19 June near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property.
“The United States Park Police have arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nations magnificent Reflecting Pool,” President Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “Who would do such a thing? These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments. Years in jail! Work will begin immediately on its repair. President DJT”
According to Hearn’s account to The Washington Post, he had just completed a loop around the Hains Point circuit as part of a 52-mile training ride when he stopped to view the Reflecting Pool’s recently completed multimillion-dollar renovation. Noticing that a section of the pool’s new blue liner appeared to have come loose from the bottom, Hearn said he reached into the water to inspect the material. Three federal officers detained him shortly afterward.
“I didn’t vandalize anything,” Hearn told the Post. “I didn’t destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs.”
The arrest came amid heightened scrutiny of the Reflecting Pool, which has reportedly suffered unsightly bright green algae growth and delamination following its $14 million refurbishment ordered by President Trump. The incident also occurred during a period of increased security around the site, with a visible National Guard presence reported over the preceding two days.
The crime carries up to a 10-year prison sentence. Hearn denies the charge. He is scheduled to appear in D.C. Superior Court on Thursday 09 July 2026.
Away from the headlines, Hearn remains an active competitor in the Mid-Atlantic masters racing scene. Racing for Artemis Racing, he finished fourth at the 2022 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships and most recently won the James P. Bellora Memorial Giro di Coppi on Saturday 13 June 2026.
Before focusing on cycling, Hearn enjoyed a distinguished canoe slalom career, representing the United States at three Olympic Games and winning two world championship titles before retiring from international competition in 2002.
Gran Fondo Daily News will continue to follow developments in the case.
Photo Credit: DeepAI
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