Judge dismisses Reflecting Pool vandalism case against Olympian

The Justice Department moved to dismiss the destruction of property charge against David Hearn last week due to a lack of evidence, a move President Donald Trump criticized as “a disgrace.” Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, left, listens as his attorney Norman Eisen, right, speaks after he pleaded not guilty to allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Thursday, July 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) WASHINGTON (CN) — A federal judge on Thursday officially dismissed the Justice Department’s criminal case against David Hearn, a former Olympian who had been charged with felony destruction of property based on false claims he tore up the liner of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in June. This is a developing story and will be updated. Our weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.