A large etching of the numbers '8647' has been discovered on the National Mall, located between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, across from the White House. U.S. Park Police responded to a report of vandalism at approximately 11:30 a.m. on June 11, 2026. A spokesperson for the Park Police confirmed that the numbers were marked in the grass and that the cause of the discoloration is under investigation, with grass samples collected for testing.
The term '86' is defined by Merriam-Webster as meaning 'to throw out' or 'to refuse service to,' originating from 1930s restaurant slang. The phrase '8647' has gained attention during Donald Trump’s second administration, particularly after former FBI Director James Comey posted an image suggesting a connection to the phrase in May 2025. Some commentators have interpreted this as a call for violence against Trump, a claim Comey has denied. The Department of Justice has since indicted Comey over the incident.
A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior condemned the vandalism, stating that any threat against the President is taken seriously and that the U.S. Park Police will investigate the incident. The exact timing of when the numbers appeared is unclear, and federal authorities have been dispatched to the scene. This incident occurs just before Trump's 80th birthday and amidst upcoming celebrations for America's 250th birthday on the National Mall.