Federal authorities investigate markings of '8647' found on National Mall grass
Large markings spelling '8647' were discovered etched into the grass of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, prompting an investigation by U.S. Park Police and the Department of Interior. The numbers combine the slang term '86' (meaning to discard or get rid of) with '47' (Trump's presidential number), which authorities interpret as a potential threat. The incident occurs amid heightened scrutiny of the phrase following former FBI Director James Comey's indictment for posting the same numbers on social media.
U.S. Park Police responded to a report of vandalism on the west lawn of the Washington Monument at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026, discovering large markings of the numbers '8647' in the grass near the World War II Memorial. The number '8' appeared most prominently in brown discolored grass, while the '6', '4', and '7' were less visible. The Department of Interior called the incident 'deranged vandalism' and stated that any threat against the president is taken very seriously. Grass samples have been collected for testing, and the cause of the discoloration has not yet been determined. The phrase '8647' has become politically contentious, combining restaurant industry slang for 'get rid of' with Trump's status as the 47th president, and the Trump administration views it as a call to violence. The incident comes as former FBI Director James Comey faces federal charges for posting an image of seashells arranged in the same numbers on social media last year.
How coverage differed
Left-leaning outlets (The Guardian, The Independent) emphasize the ambiguity of the phrase's meaning and Comey's defense that he was unaware of violent connotations, while also noting the White House's use of the term 'Trump Derangement Syndrome.' Center outlets (BBC, CBS, Straits Times) present the government's interpretation of the numbers as a threat more straightforwardly, though BBC notably avoids endorsing either interpretation. The Independent explicitly frames '8647' as an 'anti-Trump slogan,' while other outlets present it more neutrally as a phrase that 'has been adopted' by opponents.
What different sources said
- The GuardianLeft
US authorities investigate huge etching of ‘8647’ on National Mall grounds
- The HillCenter
Massive '86 47' appears on National Mall days before Trump's birthday UFC match
- PBS NewsHourLeft
News Wrap: Apparent anti-Trump message etched into National Mall
- ABC NewsCenter
Giant '86 47' found marked in the grass on the National Mall
- CNNCenter
Huge ‘8647’ etched into grass on the National Mall, aerial images show
- BBC US & CanadaCenter
Police investigate '8647' written in grass on US national mall
- The Straits TimesCenter
US authorities investigate huge ‘8647’ marking on grounds of National Mall in Washington
- The IndependentLeft
Giant ‘8647’ message left on the National Mall triggers police investigation
- CBS NewsCenter
Markings that appear to show the numbers "86 47" seen on National Mall in Washington
- CBS NewsCenter
Markings that appear to show "86 47" seen on National Mall
US authorities investigate huge etching of ‘8647’ on National Mall grounds
- NewsweekCenter
Trump Admin Vows to Hold '8647' National Mall Vandals Accountable: 'Threat'
- ForbesCenter
Apparent Trump Protest Phrase ‘86 47’ Etched Into National Mall
Enormous etchings of numbers interpreted as threat to Trump appear on National Mall
- BBCCenter
Police investigate '8647' written in grass on US national mall
- NBC NewsLeft
Federal authorities investigate giant ‘8647’ markings on National Mall
- NYT USLeft
National Mall Grass Vandalized with ’86 47’ Stains
- NBC NewsLeft
Federal authorities investigate giant ‘8647’ markings on National Mall
- BreitbartFar Right
'86 47' Message Carved Into National Mall Grass Days Before Trump Birthday Event
- Sydney Morning HeraldCenter
8647 etched on National Mall grass
Related
Iranian-born engineer granted bail ahead of trial in drone strike case
A U.S. judge released Mahdi Sadeghi, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, on $500,000 bail days before his trial on charges of illegally procuring technology for Iranian military drones. Sadeghi is accused of conspiracy related to a January 2024 drone attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan that killed three soldiers and injured 47 others. The judge cited changed geopolitical circumstances—specifically the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran beginning in February—as making it less likely Sadeghi would flee to Iran.
Autopsy Results Released for 11 Victims of Nippon Dynawave Chemical Tank Rupture in Washington
Autopsy results released Thursday show that all 11 people killed in the May 26 chemical tank rupture at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, Washington died from alkaline chemical burns. The 900,000-gallon tank containing white liquor—a caustic chemical mixture used in paper production—catastrophically failed, with some victims also suffering blunt force injuries or asphyxiation. State and federal investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the failure and identify any workplace safety violations.
Over 400 Alligators Removed From Disney World Since 2016 Toddler's Death
At least 414 alligators have been captured and removed from Walt Disney World property over the past decade following the June 2016 death of 2-year-old Lane Thomas Graves, who was killed by an alligator at the Grand Floridian Resort. The removal rate increased significantly after the incident, averaging 36 alligators annually from 2018-2025 compared to 23 annually in the eight years before the attack. Disney has since implemented safety measures including fences, warning signs, and rock barriers along shorelines.