US authorities investigate massive '8647' etching on National Mall lawn
US federal authorities are investigating a large etching of the numbers '8647' into the grass of the National Mall near the Washington Monument. The incident is being treated as possible vandalism and a threat against President Trump, with grass samples collected for analysis.
US authorities are investigating a large etching of the numbers "8647" discovered on the grounds of the National Mall in Washington DC. Live webcam footage from the Washington Monument showed the markings, with the number 8 clearly visible and the rest less distinct, as of Thursday afternoon.
The US Park Police responded to a report of vandalism at around 11:30 am on the west lawn of the Washington Monument. The numbers were found marked in the grass. Officials have not yet determined what caused the discoloration in the turf. Samples of the grass have been collected for testing, and the investigation is ongoing.
A spokesperson for the US Department of Interior described the act as "deranged vandalism" and stated that any threat against the president is taken very seriously. The department vowed to hold those responsible accountable.
The sequence "8647" is notable because "86" is a term commonly used in the restaurant industry to mean to remove or discard something, and Donald Trump is the 47th president of the United States. It remains unclear when or how the numbers were etched.
This incident follows a similar case in April when former FBI director James Comey was charged after posting an Instagram picture of seashells arranged to form the numbers "8647" on a beach. The Justice Department charged Comey with two felonies, including making a threat against the president and transmitting it across state lines via social media. Comey later removed the post, saying he did not realize the numbers were associated with violence, and he has pleaded not guilty.
The discovery comes just weeks before the United States is set to celebrate its 250th anniversary, with planned events at the National Mall as part of the "Great American State Fair." The area recently underwent extensive renovations personally overseen by Trump, including a $13.1 million makeover of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool.
