Olympian Linked to Major Donor Network Charged in Pool Vandalism
Olympian Charged in Reflecting Pool Incident, Ties to Major Donor Network Emerge
Records indicate that David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist who faced charges following the weekend’s vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, has connections to a significant left-leaning fundraising organization. The incident occurred as protesters gathered on the National Mall, leading to multiple criminal charges.
Hearn, 67, has reportedly made ten donations to the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue. He also contributed to Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns on five occasions, according to information from an administration official. Hearn was charged with a misdemeanor for destruction of government property after allegedly reaching into the water and grabbing a hose being used by a National Park Service employee.
The Reflecting Pool had previously been drained and repainted under President Donald Trump’s administration, which had drawn attention regarding issues of peeling paint and algae growth.
ActBlue’s Role and Scrutiny
ActBlue is known for channeling substantial funds to Democratic candidates, including figures like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The organization has also faced scrutiny over overseas donations, prompting federal investigations into potential donor fraud.
The three-time summer Olympian, who identifies as a registered Democrat, described himself to The Associated Press as a “curious citizen.” He stated that he “reached down to see what it felt like” and found the water to be “very rubbery.”
Previous Legal Encounters
Hearn has a prior arrest record. In 1996, U.S. Park Police apprehended him for disregarding an emergency closure of the Potomac River during a severe rainstorm. Despite the restrictions, he launched a canoe onto the river. He was initially charged with failing to obey a lawful order, but the charges were later dismissed by a judge.
Public Outrage and Official Response
The $14.8 million restoration project for the Reflecting Pool has ignited considerable public anger, particularly among Democratic lawmakers and residents of Washington, D.C., who have visited the National Mall to view the pool. Representative Debbie Dingell of Michigan conveyed constituent outrage over the algae issue during a recent broadcast.
An administration official confirmed that five individuals were arrested on vandalism charges, with five additional people receiving federal citations. A total of 14 police reports have been filed concerning vandalism incidents. One report details accusations of a suspect using a blade to slash approximately 300 feet of the pool’s liner, an act President Donald Trump publicly denounced on the social media platform Truth Social.
In his social media post, Trump described the damage, stating, “They took some form of knife or blade, and put a 250-foot-long gash into the beautiful facade of what took so much work, competence, and money to build and complete. They also poured corrosive and destructive chemicals into the Pool.” He further commented, “The Reflecting Pool was never so beautiful as it was just one week ago, even going back to 1922 when it opened.”
Earlier, Trump had asserted that vandals were targeting the grounds surrounding the Reflecting Pool and using chemicals to harm its newly installed surface, as reported on Truth Social.
