Former US Olympian pleads not guilty to damaging reflecting pool amid Trump’s renovation

Former US Olympian David Hearn has denied charges of damaging material used in the renovation of Washington’s reflecting pool, which was recently upgraded at a cost of $14.7 million. The incident, which occurred in mid-June, has drawn attention due to the pool's symbolic significance and the timing amid ongoing political discussions about presidential monuments. Hearn’s plea to the felony charge could have implications for future protests against public works projects, raising questions about the boundaries of free speech versus property damage.