Arrested Olympic cyclist speaks out

[struggle4progress]

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

[Cheezoholic]

1. "By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs" ... Thats what happens when fascists win n/t

[rubbersole]

2. Surprised he wasn't shot.

[orleans]

21. so i had to google a photo of him. looks like a white guy so...

maybe that's part of the reason he wasn't shot.

[Aussie105]

3. A 67 year old on a bicycle . . .

Looking at the (non)reflecting pool.

A serious threat to National Security!

Wall to wall and paranoid over reaction.

[Attilatheblond]

4. President I Won't Take Responsibility for ANYTHING needed a scape goat

Likely that orders went out to park service guys on site: Find and arrest the vandal that did all this, and no dinner until you do!

[sop]

5. Trump has to show his "Reflecting Lake" is a bust because radical leftwing terrorists are tearing up the bottom,

not because his handpicked crew fucked up the project. Now Jeanine Pirro will try to make an example of him to please Trump, but as usual, her case will fall apart in court.

[Liberal In Texas]

7. Meanwhile, the poor guy is going to have to hire a lawyer and spend

money he probably doesn't need to spare to defend himself. On a BS case.

[sheshe2]

18. Piro and her box of wine will be there with bells on!

I hope the Judge tosses them out on their ass after tossing the ridiculous charge!

[Blue Owl]

6. Lawyer up

[Skittles]

11. and do it very publicly

yes indeed

[Gaytano70]

14. Some liberal lion attorney should represent him pro bono.

[BadgerMom]

22. I sure hope for that.

[rubbersole]

25. Bondi should be available.

[cbabe]

8. Where are the handcuffs? Gasps as Trump's birthday bash leaves White House grounds in 'terrible' condition

https://www.rawstory.com/white-house-2677068520/

Gasps as Trump’s birthday bash leaves White House grounds in ‘terrible’ condition

Alexander Willis
June 20, 2026 8:56AM ET

President Donald Trump marked his 80th birthday last Sunday with an unprecedented Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event on White House grounds, but by Friday onlookers were stunned when photos emerged showing the damage left behind on the Ellipse, often referred to as President's Park South.

The UFC event has destroyed the grass on the Ellipse in front of the White House,” bluntly noted John Jackson, a podcaster, writer and U.S. veteran of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in a social media post Friday evening.

Captured by Reuters' Aaron Schwartz on Friday, an aerial photograph shows the once-green Ellipse – a 52-acre park just south of the White House South Lawn – with slivers and patches of green grass amid a sea of brown. The White House’s South Lawn also suffered damage, with a White House spokesperson telling USA Today that $1 million will be spent restoring its grass.

… more …

[slightlv]

12. He just spends OUR money hand over fist...

and although HE caused the damage, no charges or fines will be paid by him...perish the thought! /snark

[paleotn]

9. Charges will be quietly dropped when the morons discover....

this case ain't going nowhere.

[BidenRocks]

10. I DEMAND!

A Jury Trial!
Then I'll sue your ass off!

[no_hypocrisy]

13. Dearth of evidence.

Motion to dismiss granted.

Alternately, motion to grant summary judgment granted.

[pansypoo53219]

15. trumpty dumpty defaced public property 1st + worst.

[delisen]

16. Abuse of authority. nt

[Mr. Evil]

17. The irony of it all.

This guy getting arrested for destruction of government property. When the asshole that actually destroyed it gloats in the Oval Office.

[orleans]

19. so where the fuck were those park police when that antifa algae vandalized the pond?

what crap! now they have someone to blame for the thing being ruined.

poor guy.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

20. Trumpty Dumpty has to find a scapegoat.

So the line will be 'people vandalized the pool' instead of 'I fucked it up'

[NoMoreRepugs]

23. Lose the midterms and leave the fascists in charge there won't be enough prison cells/wharehouses/tents

to hold all of us that are going to be arrested for some asinine reason.

[rubbersole]

26. The Tesla tinhorn is makin' a list and checking it twice...

[jcboon]

24. Heck, people used to wade in it, now you can't touch it?