"The number '8' was the most visible, followed by '6' and '7', while the '4' was the least visible."
Authorities are investigating markings resembling the numbers "8647" that appeared on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in June 2025. The U.S. Park Police is treating the incident as vandalism, and the cause of the markings remains under investigation.
Incident Details
On June 12, 2025, markings in the shape of the numbers "8647" were first observed via a live webcam feed from the Washington Monument. The markings appeared as dead or discolored grass on the west lawn of the Washington Monument, east of the World War II Memorial.
Photographs taken on June 5, 2025, did not show the markings. A photographer for Reuters observed the markings on June 11 prior to the arrival of authorities. The number '8' was the most visible, followed by '6' and '7', while the '4' was the least visible. The method used to create the markings has not been determined.
Investigation and Response
The U.S. Park Police responded to a report of vandalism on Thursday, June 12, at approximately 11:30 a.m. Grass samples from the area have been collected for laboratory testing to determine the cause of the discoloration. The investigation is ongoing. The Secret Service declined to comment, referring inquiries to the U.S. Park Police.
An Interior Department spokesperson described the markings as "deranged vandalism" and stated that it "will not be tolerated." The spokesperson added that any threat against the President is taken seriously and that the U.S. Park Police will investigate to hold those responsible accountable.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle condemned the act, referring to it as "political violence or assassination culture," and suggested those responsible seek psychiatric help for "Trump Derangement Syndrome."
Background on '8647'
The sequence "8647" has been associated with opposition to President Donald Trump. The number "86" is a term commonly used in the restaurant industry meaning to discard or remove. The number "47" refers to President Donald Trump, who is the 47th president of the United States.
In April 2025, former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on charges of threatening the president after posting an image containing the numbers "8647." In a separate legal case, a federal judge ruled that displaying "8647" on a protest flag outside a federal courthouse does not constitute a threat and is protected as free speech.
Context
The appearance of the markings on the National Mall precedes a scheduled UFC event on June 15, 2025, near the White House, which coincides with President Trump's birthday. The National Mall, spanning from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol, is also scheduled for events honoring the nation's 250th anniversary.