Federal officials investigate '86 47' message vandalized into National Mall grass, threatening President Donald Trump. Former FBI Director James Comey faces federal charges for a related Instagram post.
Law enforcement officials responded to Washington, D.C.'s National Mall on Thursday after a giant "8647" message appeared to be etched into the grass, prompting an investigation as federal authorities remain on heightened alert over political threats. violence.
"The derangedvandalismon our National Mall will not be tolerated," an Interior Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "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 marking 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 to its common use in therestaurant industryto mean removing or refusing service, while 47 appears to refer to Trump as the 47th president.
The administration has previously treated "86 47" messages as threatening. arguing that "86" can mean to get rid of or remove, perrestaurant industryslang, while "47" refers to Trump as the 47th president.
EX-FBI CHIEF COMEY’S POST TO ‘86’ TRUMP CONDEMNED BY WHITE HOUSE AS ATTEMPT TO PUT ‘HIT’ ON PRESIDENT
The numbers "86 47" on the National Mall between the Washington Monument. the World War II Memorial.(Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
U.S. Park Police responded to the incident around noon, FOX 5 reported. Grass samples were also collected for testing and examination in the area by investigators.
"Anyone who engages in or endorses political violence or assassination culture must be condemned in the harshest terms possible,"White House spokespersonDavis Ingle told Fox News Digital. "They should also immediately seek psychiatric help to treat their severe. debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has warped their brains and made them sick in the head."
The incident took place days before Trump’s birthday on Sunday. which coincides with theUFCFreedom Fight taking place on the South Law, which is expected to attract 4,000 spectators to the White House.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship was 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 massive crowds, tight security, road closures and heightenedlaw enforcementpresence.
FROM RALLY GUNFIRE TO WHITE HOUSE SHOOTING, THREATS AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTINUE TO MOUNT
The numbers "86 47" on the National Mall between the Washington Monument. the World War II Memorial.(Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Trump has repeatedly been targeted by violence, including just in April at theWhite House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
There weretwo assassination attemptson Trump’s life in 2024. beginning in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed his ear after a gunman climbed onto a roof during a rally on July 13, 2024.
There will be a UFC Freedom Fight taking place at the south lawn brining 4,000 spectators to the White House.(Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
The incident comes amid heightened administration scrutiny of "86 47" messages after the Department of Justice charged former FBI DirectorJames Comeyover a similar message.
Comey was charged with two federal counts over an Instagram post last year showingseashells arranged to read"86 47,". faces a maximum 10 years in prison if convicted. Comey has denied wrongdoing, saying he did not intend the post as a call for violence. removed it once critics interpreted it as a threat.
Ashley J. DiMella reports on politics for Fox News Digital.
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