Administration blames vandals; specialists cite renovation issues
A three-time U.S. Olympic canoe racer has been charged with vandalizing the National Mall’s reflecting pool, a passion project for President Trump that has been filled with problems, including green algae and peeling coating, since reopening last month.
David Hearn, 67, was indicted by a federal grand jury on a felony charge of damaging the pool, according to U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro. Speaking at a press conference Thursday, Pirro said Hearn “deliberately” ripped a piece of sealant from the bottom of the pool, causing over $1,000 in damages. She called the case a priority for both the president and her office.
“If anyone decides they want to damage that, whatever they think their reason is, or whether they think it’s justified, or whether they think it’s not important, will be held to account,” Pirro said.
Hearn previously told The Associated Press that he reached into the pool to examine the new coating and briefly touched a chunk that was still attached to the pool, letting go after a park worker told him to do so. His attorney, Norm Eisen of the Democracy Defenders Fund, told NPR that Hearn is innocent.
“These charges are outrageous and should be alarming to every American,” Eisen said. “The indictment reflects the administration’s effort to shift blame for their own failures.”
The reflecting pool’s renovation, estimated to cost about $14 million, has been a passion project for Trump. Since it reopened last month, the pool has experienced green algae growth and its new coating has been peeling. Trump has blamed the paint issues on vandals, but pool specialists told NPR the problems likely stem from shortcomings with the renovation itself.
Hearn’s next court hearing is scheduled for July 9.