The administration dropped criminal charges against David Hearn after evidence showed the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool damage was caused by flawed installation.
The administration dropped criminal charges against David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, who was accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Federal prosecutors admitted that the peeling liner and other defects were the result of flawed installation by the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, rather than vandalism. This revelation came after a National Park Service engineer warned the administration about the peeling issue in June, though the administration was initially unaware of these documents when the charges were first filed. President Trump insisted that vandals were responsible for the damage, and he publicly criticized the U.S. attorney’s office for dropping the case. Trump said the renovation project, which cost over $15 million, was intended to improve the site's appearance and combat algae growth. While the administration acknowledged some contractor error, the project faced criticism for its no-bid contract and the speed of its completion. Despite the controversy, work continues on the repairs to restore the landmark to its intended condition.