Washington — On Thursday, mysterious markings appeared on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., creating a stir among onlookers and prompting an investigation by federal authorities. Photographs captured from the top of the Washington Monument reveal what seems to be the numbers “86 47” etched into the grass, with the World War II Memorial providing a backdrop.
According to a Reuters photographer who documented the scene, the markings were noticed shortly before officials arrived to assess the situation. The “8” is the most distinct figure, while the “6” and “7” are somewhat less discernible. The “4” is the faintest of the numbers in the captured images. The origins and method used to create these markings remain unclear.
The U.S. Park Police reported the incident, stating, “At approximately 11:30 a.m., U.S. Park Police responded to a report of vandalism of the west lawn of the Washington Monument. The numbers ‘8647’ were marked in the grass. The cause of the discoloration has not yet been determined. Grass samples have been collected for testing. The investigation is ongoing.”
In response, a spokesperson from the Interior Department expressed zero tolerance for such acts, emphasizing, “The deranged vandalism on our National Mall 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.”
Intriguingly, the number sequence has sparked curiosity due to its potential implications. The term “86” is widely recognized as slang for “to throw out” or “get rid of,” a usage that originated in the 1930s at soda counters and is still common in restaurant lingo today, as highlighted by Merriam-Webster. The phrase recently garnered attention when former FBI Director James Comey posted an Instagram image of seashells arranged to spell “86 47,” following his indictment.
Nathan Howard / REUTERS
Nathan Howard / REUTERS 
The term “86” is slang meaning to “throw out” or “get rid of,” according to Merriam-Webster. The phrase is commonly used in restaurant kitchens and originated at soda counters in the 1930s, according to the dictionary. But the term gained more attention recently when former FBI Director James Comey was indicted after sharing an Instagram post last year that showed seashells on the beach arranged to form “86 47.”
Comey deleted the post and said he believed the shell formation was communicating a “political message.” The former FBI chief said he did not realize that some people associate the numbers with violence.
Comey was charged with two counts of making threats against President Trump. He has not yet entered a plea and is set to be arraigned in New Bern, North Carolina, in late September.
Mr. Trump has said the term “86” is a mob term that connotes violence and, when paired with “47,” means “kill President Trump.” Mr. Trump is the 47th president.
“EIGHT MILES OUT, SIX FEET DOWN!” he wrote on Truth Social in April.
Dubbed “America’s Front Yard,” the National Mall stretches from the Lincoln Memorial to the west and the U.S. Capitol to the east. It is set to be the site of several events honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary.
