David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, is considering a range of legal remedies after prosecutors abruptly dropped charges accusing him of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. Hearn, 67, was arrested on June 19 and faced a felony count of property destruction, which he denied. The charge, potentially punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $1,000 fine, followed a $14 million project by the Trump administration to change the pool's color.

In a 20-page court filing on August 1, prosecutors revealed information about a rushed and flawed installation process of the pool lining, which included repeated failures and extensive peeling. This work was completed hastily ahead of the US semiquincentennial Fourth of July celebrations.

Hearn's attorney, Steven Levin, stated that "all options are on the table" for legal recourse, including civil suits, bar referrals for the prosecutors involved, requests for sanctions, reimbursement of attorneys’ fees, and investigations by government entities such as Congress. Levin also announced plans to file a motion to dismiss with prejudice to prevent further government harassment.

Hearn’s legal team criticized the initial prosecution, with Levin saying on social media, “The Trump administration’s case against Davey Hearn should have never been brought. Its dismissal … does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong.”

Norm Eisen, another attorney for Hearn, told the Wall Street Journal that the team plans to take an offensive stance against the government, stating, “All legal remedies are on the table going forward to respond to the miscarriage of justice.”

Sources