Giant ‘8647’ message etched into National Mall grass prompts investigation

Law enforcement officials responded Thursday after an investigation was launched following a giant “8647” message etched into the grass at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as federal authorities remain on high alert for political threats and violence.

“Unbalanced vandalism on our National Mall will not be tolerated,” an Interior Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “Any threat to the President is taken very seriously by the Department, and our U.S. Park Police will investigate this incident and hold those responsible accountable.”

The sign was etched into the grass between the Washington Monument and the World War II memorial. The administration has previously interpreted the number “86” as a political threat, pointing out that its widespread use in the restaurant industry means removing or refusing service, while the number 47 also appears to refer to Trump as the 47th president.

The administration had previously viewed the “86 47” messages as threatening, suggesting that “86” could mean to get rid of or eliminate, according to restaurant industry slang, and that “47” was Trump’s 47th president.

FORMER FBI CHIEF COMEY’S ’86’ POST ABOUT TRUMP WAS CONDEMNED BY THE WHITE HOUSE AS AN ORGANIZATION TO ‘HIT’ THE PRESIDENT

According to FOX 5, US Park Police responded to the incident around noon. Grass samples were also collected by the researchers in the region for testing and analysis.

“Anyone who engages in or supports political violence or a culture of assassination should be condemned in the harshest terms possible,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement to Fox News Digital. he said. “They should also seek immediate psychiatric help to treat a serious and debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome, which warps their brains and makes their heads sick.”

The incident occurred days before Trump’s birthday on Sunday; This coincides with the UFC Freedom Fight taking place at South Law, which is expected to draw 4,000 spectators to the White House.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship set up near the Lincoln Memorial for a weigh-in event on Friday.

America’s 250th birthday brings major events to the nation’s capital as D.C. braces for large crowds, tight security, road closures and an increased law enforcement presence.

FROM RALLY GUNSHOTS TO WHITE HOUSE SHOOTINGS, THREATS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTINUE TO INCREASE

Numbers “86 47” on the National Mall between the Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Trump has repeatedly been the target of violence, including at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in April.

There were two assassination attempts on Trump’s life in 2024; The initiative began in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed his ear after a gunman climbed onto a roof during a rally on July 13, 2024.

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There will be a UFC Freedom Fight on the south lawn that will bring 4,000 spectators to the White House. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

The incident comes amid the administration’s intense scrutiny of the “86 47” messages after the Justice Department charged former FBI Director James Comey with a similar message.

Comey was indicted last year on two federal charges stemming from an Instagram post showing seashells arranged in the shape of “86 47” and faced a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted. Comey denied wrongdoing, saying his post was not intended to call for violence, and removed it after critics interpreted it as a threat.