Arrested Olympic cyclist speaks out [View all]

Jun 20, 2026 at 11:14 AM EDT
Jun 20, 2026 at 05:59 PM EDT

By Sam Stevenson and Hollie Silverman

A cyclist who was arrested on Friday by U.S. Park Police near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has spoken out after a video of him being handcuffed was posted on social media ...

David Hearn told The Washington Post in an interview Saturday that he stopped at the Lincoln Memorial to see the reflecting pool after finishing a loop at Hains Point during a 52-mile bike ride.

Hearn explained he reached in to feel a piece of the liner that was detached from the bottom of the pool and was arrested just moments later by park police. He was charged with destruction of government property and is scheduled to appear in court July 9, according to the report.

“I didn’t vandalize anything,” the 67-year-old told the newspaper. “I didn’t destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs” ...

https://www.newsweek.com/cyclist-arrested-handcuffed-reflecting-pool-national-guard-12098916