Cleared Olympian David Hearn Asks DOJ and Interior Watchdogs to Investigate His Reflecting Pool Prosecution

Attorneys for former Olympic canoeist David Hearn sent a 21-page letter on October 6, 2026 asking Justice and Interior Department inspectors general to investigate his prosecution over damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. A judge permanently barred DOJ from reviving the case on October 1 after prosecutors conceded a contractor's flawed work, not Hearn, caused the damage during a rushed renovation for America's 250th anniversary events. Hearn's attorneys allege DOJ and Interior employees pursued his arrest and indictment despite evidence of the defects, and that officials including U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Trump defamed him.

The letter asks investigators to examine Hearn's arrest, the indictment despite contrary evidence, how evidence was preserved, and Pirro's conduct. It follows Trump's pressure on Pirro to revive the case and a White House request that DOJ prosecute Hearn again, earlier stages of the saga.

A DOJ spokesperson said its inspector general operates independently. An Interior spokesperson maintained Hearn admitted tampering with the pool; no IG has announced a review.