Former Olympian Poole has pleaded not guilty to reflect abuse charges.

Former US Olympian David ‘Davy’ Hearn pleaded not guilty to vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool during his arraignment in Washington DC.

Hearn was charged with causing $1,000 (£750) worth of damage to the pool. He was charged with destruction of property.

President Donald Trump has blamed vandals for damage to the newly applied coating under the pool. Hearn was arrested last month after touching some of the material and told BBC News at the time that he was already “cleared”.

“Every American is at risk if Mr. Hearn is charged with the crime of touching the reflecting pool,” Hearn’s attorney, Norm Eason, said outside court Thursday.

“Touching a reflecting pool, touching water is not a crime in the United States of America,” he said.

Hearn, 67, a three-time Olympic canoeist, will next appear in court on August 5.

Officials said Hearn was spotted entering the water last month after renovations were made to the pool.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, announced the charges against Herr last week, alleging that on June 19, in an “intentional act” to cause injury, he “tore off” a piece of a recently installed packing unit.

Hearn previously told the BBC that he “didn’t destroy, rip, tear, peel or lift” part of the paint.

U.S. Park Police say five people have been arrested on misdemeanor charges in connection with the Reflecting Pool, and five others have been issued federal citations.

Hearn’s attorneys have accused the Trump administration of suing their client in an attempt to blame the change for the website’s problems.

The sparkling pool underwent a multi-million dollar resurfacing and painting project this spring.

The monument has long been beset by structural failures and leaks, and Trump has backed the project as part of his efforts to beautify the capital.

But despite the $13 million (£9.8m) makeover, the pool continues to be sick with algae and pieces of the blue seal peel off within days.

Frank Landes, a National Park Service official, said in a court filing last month that the line at the bottom of the reflecting pool was cut with a sharp knife or blade around June 9.