Judge to rule on dismissing charges against ex-Olympian David Hearn
A Washington judge will decide whether to dismiss charges against David Hearn, who prosecutors say did not vandalize the Reflecting Pool.
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Judge to rule on dismissing charges against ex-Olympian David Hearn
Photograph: CNBC (embedded from source)
What this story says
- A Washington judge will rule on whether to dismiss an indictment against former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn.
- Hearn was accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, but prosecutors now state the damage resulted from a flawed installation.
- Prosecutors requested the indictment be dismissed without prejudice, allowing them to refile charges if new evidence emerges.
- Hearn's lawyer argued for dismissal with prejudice to prevent the charges from being refiled, citing a lack of evidence.
Who covered it
Percentages are shares of the 48 outlets carrying a published leaning rating. 7 of the 55 outlets we know ran this story carry no rating and are not counted in them. Coverage measured .
Trust
60/100
Craft
65/100
Hype
45/100
55 sources · methodology
Missing from the right
Only 2 of the 48 outlets with a published leaning rating that ran this story are rated right.
A reader who follows the right would not have seen this. We report the absence rather than explain it: outlets choose what to cover for many reasons, and we have no evidence about which one applies here.
A Washington judge is expected to rule soon on whether to dismiss an indictment against former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn. Hearn had been charged with vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Prosecutors have stated that the damage to the pool's sealant was due to a flawed installation, not Hearn's actions. The U.S. Attorney's office requested the indictment be dismissed without prejudice, a move that would permit them to refile charges if new evidence surfaces.
Disagreement on dismissal terms
Hearn's lawyer argued for dismissal with prejudice, which would permanently bar prosecutors from refiling the charges. The lawyer stated there was no valid reason to keep the case alive and that the court should prevent prosecutorial abuse. Prosecutors countered that there is a public interest in allowing a grand jury to consider new evidence if it comes to light. The judge questioned how to reconcile President Donald Trump's public statements blaming Hearn for the damage with the U.S. Attorney's assessment that the case was meritless.
What the coverage left out
None of the left-rated reports mentioned President Donald Trump's specific public statements on Truth Social regarding the Reflecting Pool incident. The full report from CNBC noted Trump's angry reaction to the U.S. Attorney's earlier move to dismiss the indictment without prejudice, quoting his assertion that it was a 'pure case of VANDALISM' and his disagreement with the U.S. Attorney's assessment. This detail was not present in the digests provided for the other left-rated outlets.
Coverage settled. We checked this 68 times and stopped on 10 Sept 2026, 18:46. The figures above are what it finished at.
How each side covered it
Our own reading of the reporting listed below, written from the outlets’ articles rather than quoted from them. The reasoning is set out on our methodology page.
Left
30 rated outlets
- Thirteen left-rated reports focused on the judge's potential ruling and the arguments presented. Multiple outlets highlighted the judge's criticism of President Donald Trump's public pressure on prosecutors. The reports noted that prosecutors admitted there were no current grounds to sustain a criminal case against Hearn. The Washington Post's full report stated that attorneys for Hearn worried Trump could push prosecutors to resurrect the case. Other outlets, such as the Wisconsin Examiner, Louisiana Illuminator, Daily Montanan, alabamareflector.com, Georgia Recorder, Michigan Advance, westvirginiawatch.com, and Oregon Capital Chronicle, used similar headlines focusing on the judge's criticism of Trump's pressure campaign.
Centre
16 rated outlets
We have not written our reading of the centre coverage of this story. The centre-rated outlets that ran it are listed below.
Right
2 rated outlets
We have not written our reading of the right coverage of this story. The right-rated outlets that ran it are listed below.
Questions about this coverage
- How did the left and right cover Judge to rule on dismissing charges against ex-Olympian David Hearn?
- Of the 48 outlets on this story carrying a published leaning rating, 63% are rated left, 33% are rated centre, 4% are rated right. Those percentages are shares of the rated outlets, not of every outlet that ran it, which was 55. The sections above set out what each side emphasised, in its own terms.
- Is Judge to rule on dismissing charges against ex-Olympian David Hearn left or right?
- Neither side dominates it. Of the 48 rated outlets on this story, 63% are rated left, 33% are rated centre, 4% are rated right, and no side holds the 70% this site would want before calling a field one-sided. A story is not left or right in any case; the outlets that carried it are what carry ratings.
- Is the coverage of Judge to rule on dismissing charges against ex-Olympian David Hearn biased?
- Judge to rule on dismissing charges against ex-Olympian David Hearn is one event reported by 55 outlets, and this page does not rate the story as biased or unbiased. What it publishes is the spread: which outlets ran it, where named rating organisations place each of them on the spectrum, and what each side chose to lead with. A leaning rating describes an outlet's record over time, not this article, and the two should not be run together.
- Which side is not reporting Judge to rule on dismissing charges against ex-Olympian David Hearn?
- When we first saw this story, outlets rated right had barely covered it. Coverage accretes for hours after an event, so that is where to look rather than a verdict — the split above is the current count, and it is the one to read.
- Which outlets covered Judge to rule on dismissing charges against ex-Olympian David Hearn?
- 55 that we know of, every one of them listed further up this page with a link to its own report and to what we hold on the publisher. Nothing here is a summary of somebody else's summary: the outlets are named so the original reporting can be read.
- What is the current status of the charges against David Hearn?
- A Washington judge is expected to rule on whether to dismiss the indictment against former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn. Prosecutors have indicated the damage to the Reflecting Pool was due to installation issues, not Hearn's actions, and want the charges dismissed without prejudice.
- Why does Hearn's lawyer want the charges dismissed with prejudice?
- Hearn's lawyer is seeking dismissal with prejudice to prevent prosecutors from refiling charges against Hearn in the future. The argument is that the case was baseless and should not be held over Hearn's head, protecting him from potential prosecutorial abuse.
- What is the difference between dismissal with and without prejudice?
- Dismissal without prejudice means prosecutors can refile charges if new evidence emerges. Dismissal with prejudice is a final ruling that bars the prosecution from bringing the same charges again, effectively ending the case permanently.
- Did Donald Trump comment on the Reflecting Pool incident?
- Yes, Donald Trump publicly stated his belief that Hearn vandalized the pool, disagreeing with the U.S. Attorney's assessment that the damage resulted from a flawed installation. He called it a 'pure case of VANDALISM' on social media.
Read it at the source
55 outlets, grouped by the leaning a published rating gives them. Every headline links to the original; an underlined outlet name opens our profile of that publisher.
Left
30- Pirro Gets Flustered At Presser (opens Crooks and Liars in a new tab)
Crooks and Liars — is Crooks and Liars biased? Our profile of this outlet
- 'The Trump Cesspool': Trump Rushes to Clean Up His ‘Almost Fixed’ Reflecting Pool After Filthy Images Show a ‘Slum District’ (opens Atlanta Black Star in a new tab)
Atlanta Black Star — is Atlanta Black Star biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens Missouri Independent in a new tab)
Missouri Independent — is Missouri Independent biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens Ohio Capital Journal in a new tab)
Ohio Capital Journal — is Ohio Capital Journal biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens tiffinohio.net in a new tab)
tiffinohio.net — is tiffinohio.net biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens Source New Mexico in a new tab)
Source New Mexico — is Source New Mexico biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens Florida Phoenix in a new tab)
Florida Phoenix — is Florida Phoenix biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens Iowa Capital Dispatch in a new tab)
Iowa Capital Dispatch — is Iowa Capital Dispatch biased? Our profile of this outlet
Show 22 more
- 'Fatal' DOJ concession flagged that torpedoed Trump's Reflecting Pool case (opens Raw Story in a new tab)
- Olympian David Hearn returns to court over dismissed Reflecting Pool vandalism charges (opens WCSH in a new tab)
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens Idaho Capital Sun in a new tab)
Idaho Capital Sun — is Idaho Capital Sun biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges • Rhode Island Current (opens rhodeislandcurrent.com in a new tab)
rhodeislandcurrent.com — is rhodeislandcurrent.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge weighs whether to dismiss Reflecting Pool vandalism case for now or for good (opens NBC Washington in a new tab)
NBC Washington — is NBC Washington biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge likely to block Trump from going after ex-Olympian over Reflecting Pool damage (opens The Independent (US) in a new tab)
The Independent (US) — is The Independent (US) biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge likely to block Trump from going after ex-Olympian over Reflecting Pool damage (opens The Independent in a new tab)
The Independent — is The Independent biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens Wisconsin Examiner in a new tab)
Wisconsin Examiner — is Wisconsin Examiner biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens South Dakota Searchlight in a new tab)
South Dakota Searchlight — is South Dakota Searchlight biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors for reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens Louisiana Illuminator in a new tab)
Louisiana Illuminator — is Louisiana Illuminator biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens Daily Montanan in a new tab)
Daily Montanan — is Daily Montanan biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens alabamareflector.com in a new tab)
alabamareflector.com — is alabamareflector.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens Georgia Recorder in a new tab)
Georgia Recorder — is Georgia Recorder biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens Michigan Advance in a new tab)
Michigan Advance — is Michigan Advance biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens westvirginiawatch.com in a new tab)
westvirginiawatch.com — is westvirginiawatch.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens Oregon Capital Chronicle in a new tab)
Oregon Capital Chronicle — is Oregon Capital Chronicle biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens arkansasadvocate.com in a new tab)
arkansasadvocate.com — is arkansasadvocate.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors in reflecting pool vandalism case (opens Arizona Mirror in a new tab)
Arizona Mirror — is Arizona Mirror biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge weighs how to dismiss Reflecting Pool vandalism charge against Olympian (opens CNBC in a new tab)
- Ex-Olympian to tell judge why Reflecting Pool charge should be out, for good (opens The Washington Post in a new tab)
The Washington Post — is The Washington Post biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens Maryland Matters in a new tab)
Maryland Matters — is Maryland Matters biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges (opens Tennessee Lookout in a new tab)
Tennessee Lookout — is Tennessee Lookout biased? Our profile of this outlet
Centre
16- 'How many times do I have to say no?!': Pirro dodges questions on Reflecting Pool case at news conference (opens Everett Post in a new tab)
Everett Post — is Everett Post biased? Our profile of this outlet
- 'How many times do I have to say no?!': Pirro dodges questions on Reflecting Pool case at news conference (opens MyClallamCounty.com in a new tab)
MyClallamCounty.com — is MyClallamCounty.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- 'How many times do I have to say no?!': Pirro dodges questions on Reflecting Pool case at news conference (opens MyCentralOregon.com in a new tab)
MyCentralOregon.com — is MyCentralOregon.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- 'How many times do I have to say no?!': Pirro dodges questions on Reflecting Pool case at news conference (opens WBAL in a new tab)
- DC judge to decide whether Reflecting Pool vandalism case against David Hearn is over for good – WTOP News (opens Washington Top News in a new tab)
Washington Top News — is Washington Top News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Olympian David Hearn returns to court over dismissed Reflecting Pool vandalism charges (opens WLTX in a new tab)
- Olympian David Hearn returns to court over dismissed Reflecting Pool vandalism charges (opens Fort Smith/Fayetteville News in a new tab)
Fort Smith/Fayetteville News — is Fort Smith/Fayetteville News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Olympian David Hearn returns to court over dismissed Reflecting Pool vandalism charges (opens Krem2 News in a new tab)
Krem2 News — is Krem2 News biased? Our profile of this outlet
Show 8 more
- Olympian David Hearn returns to court over dismissed Reflecting Pool vandalism charges (opens WBIR in a new tab)
- Olympian David Hearn returns to court over dismissed Reflecting Pool vandalism charges (opens WFAA 8abc in a new tab)
- Olympian David Hearn returns to court over dismissed Reflecting Pool vandalism charges (opens KYTX in a new tab)
- Olympian David Hearn returns to court over dismissed Reflecting Pool vandalism charges (opens 9NEWS Denver in a new tab)
9NEWS Denver — is 9NEWS Denver biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Olympian David Hearn returns to court over dismissed Reflecting Pool vandalism charges (opens KTVB in a new tab)
- Olympian David Hearn returns to court over dismissed Reflecting Pool vandalism charges (opens WKYC in a new tab)
- Former Olympian fights to have Reflecting Pool vandalism charges permanently dismissed (opens Fox5 DC in a new tab)
- Ex-Olympian to tell judge why Reflecting Pool charge should be out, for good (opens INTELLINEWS in a new tab)
INTELLINEWS — is INTELLINEWS biased? Our profile of this outlet
Right
2- “No! Who Wants to Know About This?” – Jeanine Pirro Refuses to Take Question on David Hearn Reflecting Pool Case as Hearing Over Case Dismissal Looms * The Gateway Pundit * by Jordan Conradson (opens The Gateway Pundit in a new tab)
The Gateway Pundit — is The Gateway Pundit biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge Weighs Dismissal in Reflecting Pool Vandalism Case (opens capitalisminstitute.org in a new tab)
capitalisminstitute.org — is capitalisminstitute.org biased? Our profile of this outlet
Not rated
7- 'How many times do I have to say no?!': Pirro dodges questions on Reflecting Pool case at news conference (opens Northwest Newsradio in a new tab)
Northwest Newsradio — is Northwest Newsradio biased? Our profile of this outlet
- 'How many times do I have to say no?!': Pirro dodges questions on Reflecting Pool case at news conference (opens wsjm.com in a new tab)
- 'How many times do I have to say no?!': Pirro dodges questions on Reflecting Pool case at news conference - The Pulse of NH (opens thepulseofnh.com in a new tab)
thepulseofnh.com — is thepulseofnh.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- 'How many times do I have to say no?!': Pirro dodges questions on Reflecting Pool case at news conference (opens SuperHits 103.7 COSY-FM in a new tab)
SuperHits 103.7 COSY-FM — is SuperHits 103.7 COSY-FM biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Pirro rejects questions about Reflecting Pool: ‘How many times do I have to say no?’ (opens BizToc in a new tab)
- Judge: Trump Pressure Campaign Could Sink Reflecting Pool Case (opens thechenabtimes.com in a new tab)
thechenabtimes.com — is thechenabtimes.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges - Now Georgia (opens nowgeorgia.com in a new tab)
nowgeorgia.com — is nowgeorgia.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
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