In brief
Former Olympic kayak paddler Davey Hearn was taken into custody near the Washington DC Reflecting Pool after police claimed he had damaged the newly renovated landmark. The 67‑year‑old denies harming the paint or water, insisting he only touched a strip of material that had already been peeled. President Donald Trump echoed the police’s anger and urged quick repairs. The Reflecting Pool, which underwent a $13 million makeover, remains plagued by algae and paint loss, despite the administration’s promises of a spotless surface. Hearn says the arrest was politically motivated, and he faces a misdemeanour charge for alleged destruction of government property.
Former Olympian Davey Hearn is being held after police claimed he damaged Washington DC’s historic Reflecting Pool.
Hearn, 67, was stopped by US Park Police and National Guard troops when he was ending a long bike ride near the edge of the pool. He says he only removed his cycling glove to touch a piece of rubber‑like material that had been delaminating from the pool’s bottom, and that no paint or surface was harmed.
President Donald Trump has taken to Truth Social to condemn the alleged vandalism, saying “multiple individuals have been arrested for vandalizing our Nation’s magnificent Reflecting Pool” and vowed to “work will begin immediately on its repair.”
The Reflecting Pool recently underwent a $13 million resealing and painting project, yet still suffers from leaks, algae growth and paint flaking. Photographs show fresh blue paint peeling from the pool’s underside and green algae swirling in the water.
Hearn asks that the arrest, which lasted about five hours in handcuffs and restricted him from making a phone call, be described as an arbitrary, capricious prosecution. He maintains that “the condition of any part of the reflecting pool didn’t change” and that he did not destroy, tear, peel or remove any paint.
For context, Hearn was a slalom canoeer who competed in three Olympics and won two world championships. He has also designed waterproof sporting gear. He was curious about the paint used for the pool’s new “American Flag Blue” finish.
Despite ongoing refurbishment work, including pumping out green water and vacuuming algae, the pool still faces criticism from locals and media for not keeping up with President Trump’s promise of a pristine, “beautiful reflecting pool.”
