Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland is rallying behind David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist and constituent, after Hearn pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of destroying property at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. In a statement Thursday, Raskin vowed to ensure Hearn receives a fair trial, describing the prosecution as built on “Kafkaesque arrest and Orwellian charges.”
Hearn, a 67-year-old three-time Olympian and respected coach from Montgomery County, was arrested last month and indicted by a grand jury for allegedly tearing up the pool’s bottom liner, causing over $1,000 in damage. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Raskin, whose district includes Hearn’s hometown, emphasized his constituent’s character: “Davey Hearn is my constituent, a native-born resident of Montgomery County, a three-time Olympian canoeist, and a famed and celebrated teacher and coach of canoeing and kayaking in our community. He is beloved in my district as a model citizen whether on water or on dry land. He is a great guy.”
The Maryland Democrat also took aim at President Trump’s penchant for branding federal landmarks, contrasting Hearn’s alleged actions with Trump’s efforts to place his name on the White House, Reflecting Pool, and Kennedy Center. “Whether we are talking about the White House, the Reflecting Pool or the Kennedy Center, Davey would never try to alter, bulldoze or redesign federal property or buildings without explicit Congressional authorization and direction,” Raskin wrote.
Prosecutors accuse Hearn of “forcefully and violently” ripping up the pool’s sealant, but Hearn denies the allegations. He told The Washington Post after his arrest: “I didn’t vandalize anything. I didn’t destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs.”
The Reflecting Pool has faced persistent issues since a multimillion-dollar renovation, including peeling paint and algae blooms. The Trump administration has attributed the problems to vandalism, leading to multiple arrests. Raskin dismissed the charges against Hearn as “absurdly trumped-up,” pledging to “do everything I can” to secure a fair trial.
Political Context and Broader Implications
The case has drawn attention amid ongoing tensions over the Trump administration’s management of federal landmarks. Raskin’s defense of Hearn mirrors his broader criticism of what he sees as politicized prosecutions. Meanwhile, the administration continues to push for restoration of the Reflecting Pool, which has been a flashpoint for both preservationists and political activists.
For more on related legal battles, see our coverage of the indictment of Hearn and the ongoing threats to national security that have dominated headlines. The intersection of politics and justice remains a central theme in this story, as Raskin positions himself as a defender of due process against what he calls “political graffiti, vandalism or delinquency.”
If convicted, Hearn faces a decade behind bars, but his legal team is expected to challenge the evidence. The case continues to unfold as both sides prepare for trial.
