Attorneys representing Olympic canoeist David Hearn filed a formal motion on Thursday requesting that Judge Todd Edelman of the District of Columbia Superior Court block prosecutors from filing any new criminal charges against their client. The motion stems from an ongoing case involving the alleged vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

In their filing, Hearn’s legal team argued that the threat of additional charges amounts to “prosecutorial harassment.” The defense explicitly linked their concerns to President Trump, suggesting that the administration is exerting undue influence over the legal proceedings. By seeking this preemptive protection, the defense aims to halt what they characterize as an ongoing effort to keep the case open against the athlete.

While the motion highlights the defense's perspective on the motivation behind the prosecution, the court has yet to rule on the request. The filing is a significant escalation in the legal battle, shifting the focus from the initial incident of vandalism to the conduct of the government prosecutors involved in the case. As of now, the prosecution has not issued a formal response to the claims of harassment, and the court proceedings remain ongoing.