David Hearn Charged With Vandalism At Reflecting Pool
By: Jennifer Bowers Bahney (Mediaite)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
A former Olympian was arrested and charged with "destruction of government property" after pausing his bike ride to, according to him, check out the algae-ridden Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's peeling blue bottom.
David Hearn, a 67-year-old three-time Olympian in the canoe slalom, said he stopped at the pool Saturday while finishing up a leg of a 52-mile bike ride. U.S. Park Police officers arrested him on the misdemeanor charge after he said he reached into the water to experience what the detached blue liner "felt like" for himself.
"I reached in there, and I was able to grab the end of that flapping piece, the already peeling piece," Hearn said in an interview with The Washington Post. "It was still attached to the bottom. I didn't remove anything."
Hearn added, "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 Bethesda, MD, man is scheduled to appear in D.C. Superior Court on July 9.
The century-old Reflecting Pool was plagued with pea-green algae just days after crews completed coating the bottom with blue sealant in a $14 million renovation that President Donald Trump claimed would last for some 50 years. After the U.S. Park Service tried to remedy the slimy situation with gallons of hydrogen peroxide — a known paint stripper at high concentrations — the sealant began peeling away.
As more and more journalists and influencers reported on the blight, and some tourists took pieces of the peeling sealant as souvenirs, Trump blamed the entire situation on "vandalism."
Trump posted to Truth Social, "[W]e've had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool, which sits between The Washington Monument and The Lincoln Memorial."
The president accused vandals of trying to "destroy and demean our beautiful work," claiming, "The algae is 75% gone, and the condition will soon be completely remedied, and the area that was vandalized, fortunately, is just a small area of damage, and will be fixed early next week."
Trump took the opportunity to post about Hearn's arrest on Truth Social, then elaborated about jail time.
"The United States Park Police have arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nations magnificent Reflecting Poll. Who would do such a thing? These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments. Years in jail! Work will begin immediately on its repair," Trump wrote.
According to The New York Times, however, vandalism had little to do with the problem. The paper reported in May that Trump's project ignored a "major underlying problem" with old, leaky pipes that it said would still allow algae to grow and cover up its new blue shade.
Experts told the Times that unless the underlying problem with the leaky pipes was fixed, "the algae could come back," which it did with a vengeance.
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So one guy stuck his hand in the water and that opened the door for Trump to claim that the entire problem at the reflecting pool is the result of "vandalism". What else is new?
Yes, people charged with crimes always tell the truth.
Undoubtedly...
So far, seven people have been detained for possible crimes and one has been arrested and charged, the guy in this story.
With the number of pro algae activists that are present everyday at the pool, no doubt more will be detained/charged for vandalism.
I wonder how many people tried to vandalize the pool when Obama "refurbished" it at a cost almost three times what Trump spent? s/
Also, cops never lie. Prosecutors never lie. The president never just makes shit up.
Would you like some more Kool-Aid?
At any time, before you hit “post” do you consider how insane something you just wrote is likely to sound?
Tell it to these guys.
What do you think "team algae" on a tshirt means?
Meet Pro-Algae Reflective Pool Protesters
How many gallons of kool-aid did you imbibe before objecting to what I wrote?
That people charged with crimes often lie in their defense is about the most unobjectionable statement imaginable...
You notice something missing in 1.1.3?
I saw a lot of anti law and how they lie, but zero "criminals lie".
Seems like the first instinct of some liberals is to blame the law enforcement and not the criminals.
you mean like on 1/6/21 at the capitol?
And yet you believe every last word that oozes out of Donald Trump.
Where is the evidence that anyone actually sabotaged or vandalized the reflecting pool?
Is your link supposed to establish that people are self-identifying as “pro algae activists?” Or is that just some dismissive derogatory shit that right wing, Trump dick sucking, nutsacks came up with?
Do you actually believe that the reflecting pool was vandalized?????
Paint needs to cure. And the surface has to be specially prepared (preferably by experts). Especially when the paint will be covered with water. It is not vandalism that caused the paint to peel, it is chemistry.
Algae blooms form in sunny weather with heated water that has not be properly treated to destroy nutrients. Hello? Not vandalism ... biology!
Also, the reflecting pool has tons of security cameras. Do you expect to see Trump deliver evidence of this vandalism?
Good grief man.
Yet again you try to defend Trump.
Trump’s excuse for the reflecting pool failure is to claim vandalism and you are actually trying to give that utter bullshit credence.
Show evidence of vandalism given that the pool is replete with security cameras.
LOL You forgot that trump is a convicted felon!!!
What do you think "team algae" on the back of one person's t-shirt means?
These idiota are happy there is algae in the pool, because....but Trump, or something.
"Or is that just some dismissive derogatory shit that right wing, Trump dick sucking, nutsacks came up with?"
Wow....Nothing more than unhinged bs.
Because they like to poke MAGA about the awesomeness of their Emperor's new clothes?
Would you change your tune if there were some that were arrested, charged, and found guilty of vandalizing federal property?
Of course, this s in DC, so the likelihood of fellow leftists finding anyone guilty...because Trump..or something, is much more likely.
Show us some evidence!
How can you possibly believe Trump without clear evidence? By now, everyone should know that he accepts no blame ever and believes he can lie himself out of any situation.
Why are you not criticizing this incompetent charlatan?
I have no opinion. I have no information about it other than your word, so it would be premature for me to decide I know what it means, even if true.
You could try asking one of them. Why should I just accept that it’s whatever you say it is? Have you done any research to find out? How does it mean “activist?” How does their alleged activism manifest, since you’re such an expert?
Yes. It’s called schadenfreude. They take pleasure in seeing Trump fail. Again. That doesn’t make them “pro algae” nor does it make them activists. Calling them activists implies they had some kind of role in the generation of the algae. Is that what you believe?
I will always follow the evidence. A tee shirt with "team algae" on it is political speech. Without more, it means nothing more.
Of course, the is the internet, so the likelihood of fellow posters actually offering up evidence before opinion... because of hyper-partisan bias... or something, might be a bridge too far.
don't give them any ideas
Are you trying to explain science, TiG? You are probably wasting your time
In other words, admitting to know the meaning of their shirts and signs will trigger some hate posts from some of the leftists and some are deathly afraid of that.
"They take pleasure in seeing Trump fail. Again"
Wrong...they WANT Trump to fail, just as many of them WANT the US to lose a war against Iran, or against any nation for that matter.
Many leftists hate this country and Trump is in their way of fully destroying it.
OK
"Without more, it means nothing more."
Yes, and if I had a t shirt that said "Team America", I am sure you would correct others when I am accused of white supremacy, as some have done here over and over s/
It means the person wearing it is retarded.
Absent any other context I would have to. No sarcasm necessary. Just because you see everything through a hyper-partisan lens doesn't mean everyone does.
Or, and hear me out here... maybe they are just pointing how he's already failing? Kind of like saying, "I told you so."
Again, just spitballing here... perhaps they are just pointing out there was no reason to invade and it's made life worse for many and more expensive for many more?
Are you trying to tell us that to love this country one must worship at the MAGA alter?
Hear me out....Maybe they are just triggered that it is Trump and nothing else. The hatred of one man by many left wingers has consumed them so much they have learned to know nothing else. And before I am accused of "defending" Trump, I am not. I am simply pointing out the lunacy and joke the democratic party has become.
"perhaps they are just pointing out there was no reason to invade and it's made life worse for many and more expensive for many more?"
Or....hear me out here...Maybe they just hate this country simply because Trump is stopping them from fully destroying this country.
"one must worship at the MAGA alter? "
Of course, your opinion. We see left wingers openly mocking this country, especially in the form of thinking illegals should be allowed to stay and have zero problem that they are scourges on society.
But yet many leftists, some here, believe it is just "political" talk.
Anything to defend criminals.
And they wonder why they are constantly on the 20 percent of every 80/20 issue. Wait. No they don't. They think they are in the right with that 20 percent. Self awareness sucks for some.
It's certainly possible, though it's simple to point out Trump's failings.
Yeah... I see that on both sides of the hyper-partisan line. The rise of MAGA right-wing populists into power showed the Progressive left-wing populists how to do it. Same play book same idiot logic.
Defend the point with some evidence of destroying the country.
No, I was asking if it were yours.
Mocking populist right-wingers isn't the same as mocking the country. Having a differencing opinion isn't hating the country. Thinking undocumented people should stay isn't mocking our country. It's a political stance many have that could be debated. Our immigration politics are complicated and being made more so by the hyper-partisan bullshit that is being used as rage bait for campaign funding and voter participation.
It's sweeping generalizations like that are why your posts aren't taken seriously. It would be like someone saying all men are domestic abusing, pediphiles. There is no logic appied to the statement.
And maybe they have eyes and are watching what's going on and don't have their head stuck up a flabby 80-year-old narcissists ass and can see how what he's doing and saying is embarrassing America daily.
You say that like there isn't a LONG list of things the man has said and done that are reprehensible and vile along with him being a convicted felon and proven sexual predator. I guess some people might find that attractive, but I really couldn't give a fuck what some scum bag losers think so why should we listen to anyone who sucks up to such a disgusting criminal bigot?
That's like saying "And before you accuse me of eating this chocolate cake, it wasn't me..."
Oh, sure you are. Just a simple neutral party out spending your day as an internet warrior for a 34 time convicted felon and accused pedophile.
So, what was that about not defending Trump? That sure sounds like a neutral non-partisan alright!... /s
It's not opinion, it's fact and something we're watching right now as Trumps pitiful little minions circle their wagons around this utter embarrassment and throw out a bunch of "Maybe it's this!" and "Maybe it's that!". Anything but admitting the fucking reality that is stuffed in their fat little fucking deluded faces. Eventually this will catch up to them, and they'll gnash their teeth in anger and blame everyone but themselves as this administration crumbles and fails, but that's what sorry little piece of shit bigots do when defending their dear Leader.
Posts like this grow increasingly shrill and absurd. You described an idiotic fantasy/conspiracy theory.
Hard to imagine (other than to engage in low-grade trolling) what you seek to accomplish by posting this utter nonsense.
Do you really not even see it? The constant defense for a convicted felon and you can't even smell a whiff of hypocrisy? You're accusing the 'left' of defending a 'criminal' who, at this point, is an accused vandal with very little evidence to prove he did anything illegal, while completely ignoring the long list of crimes of the guy you're defending. I get it, like an unpaid internet defense attorney it's your job take Trumps side in all things and project all of the defendant's crimes on to any scapegoat you can find, but no objective listener believes your obviously obsequious defenses.
Or, hear me out. All of the above.
So now the Trump defense tactic is to cast every criticism of Trump as merely hatred of Trump and (absurdly) hatred of the nation.
No recognition of the damage Trump causes.
This is beyond pathetic. Why anyone would prostrate themselves this way to try to defend Trump is absurd; this is just mindless trolling.
No, just the ones that deserve to be.
Just the ones that you say are? Like we'll just take your word.... 'cuz?
Of course. It would be silly for me to call them out otherwise. It is called having an opinion. Different than having an opinion and presenting it as fact.
Believe it, don't believe it. Agree with it, don't agree with it. Either way is fine with me.
You got all of that horseshit from “I have no opinion?” That takes one hell of an overactive imagination.
If that were true, don’t you think they would have been on Team Algae before the algae bloom instead of after?
Claiming that 'the left' hates the nation and wants to use Trump to harm our nation is the kind of sick, divisive crap that actually does harm our nation.
It would be a great improvement if people would criticize for cause and praise for cause regardless of party affiliation.
But clearly that is impossible for some to even conceive.
Not all, but definitely some.
Yes it would.
Yes it is obvious at times.
Wouldn't it be better to base your opinion on facts?
Yes, that is why I do. But I still don't present my opinion as fact. Just well thought out unbiased and based on facts. Not based on what someone else believes is fact.
Believe it, don't believe it. Agree with it, don't agree with it. I honestly don't care.
Then it should be a simple and easy thing to put your supporting facts into your posts.
Oh... alternative facts?
So you don't care for debate. You must either want to own the libs, or need confirmation bias...
Just opinions based on more opinions with opinions as proof of opinions.
Those folks are not worth having discussions/debates with.
Or in some cases they just get boring
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I'll be taking a special interest locally in the actual unamerican scum that attempt to positively blend their fuhrer into our historical celebrations starting this july ...
Tell me you're trolling without telling me you're trolling? Got it,
I bet I know who he's talking about...
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Obviously not.
Easy peasy.
Allowing millions of illegals that their culture is not compatible to the US.
They don’t want to assimilate. They want to destroy
‘It's sweeping generalizations like that are why your posts aren't taken seriously’
Then flag it
‘You got all of that horseshit from “I have no opinion?” That takes one hell of an overactive imagination.’
Your opinion but past posts show I am one hundred percent correct
‘If that were true, don’t you think they would have been on Team Algae beforethe algae bloom instead of after’
Not really talking about an intelligent group of people, are we?’
That's got to be one of the most entitled attitudes I keep coming across on the internet.
And this is just ignorance right up there with, "There eating the neighborhood pets."
Then you are not reading left wings posts here.
Don't you think that is someone wants to be a citizen in this country, they should assimilate, learn the language, swear allegiance to the US and obey our laws?
How many of the illegals, where 99 percent came here for economic reasons, would do any, or all of the above.
Off topic, but to my conservative friends on here, Happy Fathers Day and to my liberal friends here, Happy non menstruating parent day.
Hope everyone does well, no matter what you call today.
Thank you. It's true, liberal men don't menstruate, not even metaphorically, so I'm glad you pointed out this important difference between them and their male conservative counterparts. I'll try not to poke fun at conservative men as much during their time of the month in the future.
that time seems to be whenever their maga fuhrer says or does something incredibly fucking ignorant. ... so good luck.
Just Like Trump, you couldn’t just say a nice thing. You had to then qualify it, and ruin it with a totally unnecessary attack on people. Birds of a feather.
Where did I say something mean?
The term "non menstruating parent" or " non gestational parent" is a required term by some communities to identify the father of a child.
Why not just use "father".
The useless woke crowd has almost hit rock bottom.
Oh. So, you meant it affectionately?
Or it could mean a woman who is either past that age or doesn’t menstruate for some other reason. I don’t believe you were trying to be inclusive, but I’d be glad to be proven wrong.
Yes. That’s what I’m asking you.
But the day is Father’s Day. No one is calling it anything else. I suggested you say Happy Father’s Day and stop there. Somehow that makes me woke?
Also, you directed it at liberals. Why do you have to make Father’s Day political?
Do you understand now?
Some folks get mad if you use the term father and some folks get mad if you don't use the word father. Not gonna make everyone happy which is why I don't try.
I guess not. My original reply to the first post was going to just be "Off topic, but go fuck yourself." but I thought I'd be more delicate in getting the point across. Apparently, some folks prefer indelicate.
This seems pretty obviously bullshit. The algae and peeling paint didn’t just show up the moment this guy showed up after riding a bike for 52 miles. If he peeled pieces off then where are the removed pieces? This administration can’t stop embarrassing itself and harming innocent citizens.
he's the first person to actually touch the pool without some association to those that completely fucked it up, so it's his fault. maga logic ...
trump is draining the pool, again ...
So...are some of you suggesting that the "pro-algae" team are infecting the pool with algae?
That's a serious question
Didn't you know? All antifa members own algae machines for just such an occasion.
I didn't get one
the big story now is how the pool is killing off the ducks landing in it ...
Posed to those with no serious answers.
The reality is that they see any failure of this administration not as a failure of their dear Leader, but a failure of the rest of America not being able to recognize his greatness. It's truly insane to watch, and frankly not something I'd ever think I'd see in my lifetime, at least not in America.
And of course, those who fail to recognize their dear Leaders greatness are enemies of 'their' country and are obvious traitors and heretics for daring to try and put the blame for any failure on their dear Leader, which in their minds is unforgivable. In their minds, an attack on 'dear Leader Trump' is an attack on them. It's no wonder that Trump and Kim Jong Un "fell in love", they both have the same kind of loyal sycophant enablers.
If the proverbial Martians came to earth and saw many tens of millions of people supporting this person to be Americas leader, they would say what is wrong with these creatures.
"TDS" claims is short for "we cant possibly defend the thoughts , words and actions of this piece of shit, but we want what he gives us so we will pretend opposition to him is mental illness".
but what does he give him? Higher gas prices? Higher grocery prices? Higher prices all the way around????
It’s all about the mentally challenged perception of owning libs. It’s a hill they are more than willing to die on.
... and a hill that they will likely never summit.
Basic science....
Darker colors in water absorb more heat, which gives way to algae blooms being more frequent and harder to control. So, they poured hydrogen peroxide to control the algae, which likely destroyed the paint in the pool causing it to peel off of the concrete.
Now I learned most of this in the 6th grade. But trump, being the kind of moron he is, never got past the 6th grade mentally and being completely unable to accept responsibility for ANYTHING, (and knowing his idiot followers will believe everything he says), takes the low road and blames vandals....with zero proof or evidence.
All that stupid asshole had to say was, 'Hey, we made a mistake, we'll get it fixed", but trump's ego doesn't allow for that and now we have at least 5 people sitting jail, who have literally done nothing wrong, just to protect trump's ego.
"And then I see the disinfectant where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning?" - Donald J Trump spit balling ideas to cure the Corona Virus.
"Why don't we nuke them?" - Donald J Trump spit balling ideas on how to deal with hurricanes.
Jesus he's dumb,,,
Which begs the question, "Which is dumber, the known moron or the one believing the known moron?".
Agree 100%. If he just admits there was a mistake made (whether in the surface prep before the paint was applied, the incorrect paint type as well as color was used, wasn't allowed to cure long enough, misapplied), incompetent contractor, rushed it, whatever, this would have went away weeks ago. But to come up with a lie of supposed lunatic left liberal vandals taking box cutters and cutting a 250 ~ 350 foot long slit in it, dumping fertilizer in the water.
And didn't he say just a month prior that these repairs and paint were uncuttable? Can't be cut, damaged, will last 50 ~ 100 years!! Double-pinky swear!! And now some folks jumped in with box cutters and slit it up like a Kansas City pimp would one of his ladies for bringing back short funds? Really?!?! I mean, did these "vandals" find Jim Bowie's knife or the meteor that fell from the sky and made new box cutters?
And the prior Olympian who touched a piece of the failed paint? He wasn't even the first person to touch the damaged paint; reporters were touching the peeling-away paint days before. But it fit the narrative of vandals, vandals, vandals...
Simply just a biology, epoxy application fail on him and his no-bid contractor but typical reactions from a narcistic liar.
And no one and no camera saw a thing...weird.../s
The mall is under 24/7 surveillance.
Trump is an idiot.
How could anyone with a brain believe this lying sack of shit? Especially on this ridiculous vandalism claim.
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