Former U.S. Olympian David Hearn says he is \u201crelieved\u201d after a Washington, D.C. judge permanently dismissed the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool vandalism case against him, ending the possibility that prosecutors could recharge him.<\/p>\n
Hearn was indicted this summer and prosecutors alleged that he ripped a piece of the lining from the pool while he was out on a bike ride.<\/p>\n
The charges were rolled out in a press conference where U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said Hearn “forcefully and violently” vandalized the pool and that they had proof “beyond a reasonable doubt.”<\/p>\n
President Donald Trump had insisted the damage to the pool, a key renovation project of his, was the work of vandals, but Pirro later said that evidence surfaced that renovations to the pool had caused the damage. Hearn had faced up to 10 years in prison in connection with the case.<\/p>\n
Speaking exclusively to \u201cGood Morning America,\u201d Hearn called Thursday\u2019s ruling \u201ca victory for democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m relieved,\u201d Hearn said. \u201cIf it can happen to me, it can happen to anybody. Anybody in this country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked what he meant, Hearn said people could be \u201ctargeted and unfairly accused of something they didn\u2019t do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody should feel they\u2019re immune from this kind of abuse of power,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
![\"PHOTO:](\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/0794f84b-303f-40a6-85a1-b0bb803c9e2e\/hearn-gty-jef-261001_1790866212779_hpMain.jpg?w=375 "\\"America\\"")
<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>Former Olympian David Hearn outside DC Superior Court in Washington, DC, July 9, 2026.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Daniel Heuer\/Bloomberg via Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Hearn said he believes Pirro and Trump owe him an apology.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think the president should apologize to you?\u201d Hearn was asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Hearn said.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think he will?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, if pigs fly, maybe,\u201d Hearn said.<\/p>\n Just six weeks after Hearn\u2019s arrest, Pirro dropped the charges, President Trump subsequently criticized Pirro over the decision, saying she \u201cchoked.\u201d<\/p>\n The Justice Department wanted to preserve the possibility of bringing the case again, but In his ruling Thursday, Judge Todd Edelman dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning Hearn cannot be charged again over the same allegations.<\/p>\n Edelman also addressed Trump\u2019s public comments about the case, writing that despite there being no evidence of a crime, the president\u2019s public pressure created \u201ca risk that Mr. Hearn will be prosecuted nonetheless.\u201d<\/p>\n Hearn said the experience has shaken him and that the past few months have been \u201cdifficult\u201d while thanking those who rallied around him during the case.<\/p>\n He and his attorney, Norm Eisen, are also considering whether to pursue legal action against Trump or the administration.<\/p>\n Eisen told ABC News that they are \u201cactively\u201d considering their options and that \u201cnothing is off the table.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n