Federal authorities investigate giant ‘8647’ markings on National Mall

Trump administrationFederal authorities investigate giant ‘8647’ markings on National MallA judge ruled this month that the numbers on their own, which the Trump administration has called a threat against the president, constitute free speech.The numbers “8647” were marked in the grass on the National Mall in Washington on Thursday.Anna Moneymaker / Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 11, 2026, 7:42 PM EDTBy Josh Cradduck, Ryan J. Reilly, Raquel Coronell Uribe and Monica AlbaGiant markings of the numbers 8647 appeared Thursday on the National Mall in Washington, prompting an investigation by federal authorities and claims of “political violence” by the White House.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.An Interior Department spokesperson called the incident “deranged” vandalism that “will not be tolerated.”“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.U.S. Park Police told NBC News in a statement that they responded Thursday morning and that a probe is underway.“The cause of the discoloration has not yet been determined,” the office said. “Grass samples have been collected for testing. The investigation is ongoing.”U.S. Park Police responding to the incident Thursday morning.Nathan Howard / ReutersThe sequence of numbers is at the heart of a criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey, who was indicted in April after the Justice Department argued he had threatened President Donald Trump’s life by posting a photo on Instagram of seashells arranged to display “8647.” Trump is the 45th and 47th president.Restaurant veterans have said “86” is “everyday lingo” for an item that has run out and should be removed from the menu.“Anyone who engages in or endorses political violence or assassination culture must be condemned in the harshest terms possi...