US authorities investigate huge '8647' marking on grounds of National Mall in Washington
Federal officials are testing grass samples after the apparent vandalism, which they say could be a threat against President Donald Trump.
- U.S. authorities launched an investigation Thursday after a massive tracing of the political slogan "8647" was discovered etched directly into the grass of the National Mall.
- A Reuters photographer first spotted the giant numbers from the observation deck of the Washington Monument, noting the marking was located near the World War II Memorial shortly before U.S. Park Police and National Guard personnel arrived to secure the scene.
- The phrase "8647" has become a prominent anti-Trump protest slogan, combining the restaurant industry slang "86" with "47" in reference to Donald Trump's status as the 47th U.S. president.
- The political establishment remains deeply divided over the term's legality; the Department of Justice argues it constitutes a call to violence—recently indicting former FBI Director James Comey for posting a photo of the numbers spelled in seashells—while a federal judge recently blocked the National Park Service from banning an "8647" protest flag on free speech grounds.
- The high-profile vandalism comes at a time of peak visibility for the Mall, appearing in dead brown grass just as massive crowds assemble for the FIFA World Cup Fan Zone and upcoming preparations for Trump's "Freedom 250" festival and weekend birthday celebrations.
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121 Articles
The numbers 86 and 47 are perceived as a direct threat to Donald Trump.
Surprised as if by enchantment, the message visible from the sky was discovered this Thursday in one of the most emblematic places of the American capital. A few days before the president's birthday, his entourage sees a serious threat, his opponents a simple call to his removalSeen close, we can only distinguish brownish spots of dried grass. But seen from high, for example from the top of the Washington Monument, the great obelisk characterist…
The combination of numbers »8647« has already caused trouble for ex-FBI boss James Comey. Supposedly there is an encrypted death threat against Donald Trump. Now the message has reappeared – in enormous size.
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