DOJ Drops Charges Against Olympian David Hearn Over Reflecting-Pool Damage

The Justice Department moved to dismiss the indictment of former Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn, who had been accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. A filing by **U.S. The dismissal was announced late on a Friday, and the DOJ acknowledged it had “no case to prosecute” the athlete.

HuffPost

Hearn, a three-time U.S. Summer-Olympics canoeist, was originally charged after investigators alleged he “forcefully and violently” pulled at the pool’s liner during a project rushed for President Donald Trump’s “America 250” celebration. President Trump later labeled the alleged vandals “Deranged Vandals” in a Truth Social post scheduled for July 17.

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• Jeanine Pirro (U.S. Attorney) – In the dismissal filing, Pirro wrote that the evidence did not support a vandalism charge.

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• Erica Hill (CNN guest anchor) – Hosted the panel where reactions were aired.

Alternet

• “On this one, the administration looks like a monkey having intimate relations with a football,” — Scott Jennings

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• “I mean, on this one, the administration looks like a monkey having intimate relations with a football. It looks terrible, after everything that was said,” — Scott Jennings

HuffPost

• “This guy, he is owed an apology, and I don’t know what the procedures are for it, but he ought to sue anybody that he thinks he can to get his name back,” — Scott Jennings

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• “What kind of animals would do such a thing? We are looking for a Vandal Proof material, but such a thing should not have been necessary. The Scum in Court will hopefully be prosecuted to the MAX,” — The Trump, embarrassment for president

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• “He is owed an apology. And I think that Pirro should step down or she should be fired. I mean, this is an indication of the clown car that this administration has become and in an example of incompetence, of buffoonery and complete unseriousness,” — Maria Cardona, democratic strategist

Alternet

These remarks capture the sharp partisan criticism surrounding the DOJ’s reversal and the broader debate over political influence in federal prosecutions.

Alternet