Federal authorities launched an investigation Thursday after a large “8647” mark appeared. national mall Located near the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. A Reuters photographer first observed the unusual display on top of the Washington Monument.
The incident comes as events commemorating the 250th anniversary of America’s independence are scheduled to take place on the National Mall in the coming weeks.
president Donald Trump Personally invested in renovating the area, including painting the reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial.
The National Mall will host the 16-day Great American State Fair beginning June 25.
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How did “8647” appear on the grass?
The U.S. Interior Department described the incident as a “crazy act of vandalism.” U.S. Park Police will investigate and pursue those responsible, they said.
“The department takes any threats against the president very seriously, and our U.S. Park Police will investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable,” a spokesperson said.
Officials have not yet determined how the mark was created. The researchers collected grass samples after noticing sections of brown grass forming numbers with the surrounding green turf.
Shortly after the discovery, U.S. Park Police responded to the area along with members of the National Guard. The cause of the discoloration of the grass remains unclear and laboratory testing is ongoing, authorities said.
Authorities have not identified any suspects or announced whether criminal charges will be filed.
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What does “8647” mean?
The term “8647” has become a political slogan used by some Trump critics.
The number combines “86”, a slang term that often means to delete, reject or get rid of something, and “47,” a reference to Trump as the 47th president of the United States.
8647ers generally describe it as political protest or opposition. However, Trump’s allies and some federal officials argued that the sentence could be interpreted as encouraging violence against the president.
The meaning of 8647 was first given meaning when former FBI Director James Comey posted a photo showing seashells arranged to form the number “8647.” Federal prosecutors subsequently charged Comey, saying the image posed a threat to Trump. Comey deleted the post and denied any violent intent. He promised to challenge the charges in court on free speech grounds.
(Information provided by Reuters)
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