Washington, D.C. – In a decisive ruling on Thursday, D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman ordered the permanent dismissal of the criminal case against former Olympian David Hearn, ending the federal government’s attempt to prosecute him for alleged damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Judge’s order blocks further prosecution
Judge Edelman dismissed the case “with prejudice,” meaning U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro cannot bring the felony charge again. The decision came nearly a month after the parties presented their arguments.
Trump administration’s stance and response
Hearn’s attorneys contend that officials in the Trump administration have continued to press the accusation despite Pirro’s July 31 decision to drop the case. President Donald Trump publicly criticized Pirro, saying she “choked” and “folded like an umbrella” when faced with the evidence.
In a July filing, Pirro explained that new evidence from the Interior Department showed Hearn was not responsible for the damage. The department attributed the problem to a botched installation by a contractor and a rushed effort to complete the project for the America 250 celebration.
Evidence and allegations
According to the court record, Hearn was on a bike ride on June 19 when he reached into the pool’s newly peeled coating and briefly touched a chunk attached to the side. He said he obeyed a park worker’s command to let go of the material.
Hearn faced a single count of property destruction, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of ten years. His lawyers questioned whether prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence to the grand jury and whether the alleged damage amount was accurate.
Political context
President Trump appointed Pirro, a former Fox News host, as the top federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia. While the dismissal represents a setback for the White House’s narrative, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has continued to back Trump’s claim that vandals damaged the Reflecting Pool.
Background on Hearn
David Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, competed in three Summer Olympics, achieving his best finish—ninth place—at the 1996 Atlanta Games, according to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
The case highlights the tension between the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on law‑enforcement actions and the judiciary’s role in ensuring that prosecutions are grounded in solid evidence.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
