Authorities responded to what appeared to be a large tracing of the term 8647 into the grounds of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., June 11, 2026. REUTERS/ Nathan Howard
WASHINGTON, June 11 (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of the Interior said on Thursday it is investigating what appeared to be a large tracing of “8647” into the grounds of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
A Reuters photographer atop the Washington Monument saw the apparent marking in the grass near the World War Two Memorial shortly before authorities arrived at the scene. It shows the numbers eight, six, and seven, but four is not clearly defined.
U.S. Park Police and members of the National Guard responded to the scene.
The term “8647” has been adopted by opponents of President Donald Trump as a protest against his administration, while the U.S. Department of Justice has said it could be interpreted as a call to violence. It references the slang term “86,” originating in the restaurant industry, meaning to expel or get rid of something, and Trump as the 47th U.S. president. However, the term has more recently become tied to calls to assassinate or kill someone in pop culture, such as mob or gang-related films.
An Interior Department spokesperson referred to the incident as “deranged vandalism.”
“Any threat against 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 spokesperson said in a statement.
It was unclear how the markings in the grass were made. In areas, the grass turned brown to form the shape of numbers in contrast to the surrounding green.
The U.S. Park Police said the cause of the “discoloration” has not yet been determined. A spokesperson said grass samples have been collected for testing and an investigation is ongoing.
The White House referred questions about the incident to the Department of the Interior.
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