Markings that appear to show the numbers "86 47" seen on National Mall in Washington
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- Markings resembling the numbers "86 47" were found on the west lawn of the Washington Monument's National Mall in Washington, D.C., prompting an investigation by U.S. Park Police.
- The cause of the discoloration in the grass is unknown, and grass samples have been collected for testing as authorities continue to investigate the vandalism.
- The term "86" is slang for "get rid of" and gained recent attention when former FBI Director James Comey was indicted for allegedly making threats against President Trump using the phrase "86 47."
- President Trump has interpreted "86 47" as a violent threat against him, with "47" referring to him as the 47th president, and has publicly linked the phrase to calls for his harm.
- The National Mall, known as "America's Front Yard," is a significant location set to host events for the nation's 250th anniversary, making the vandalism particularly sensitive.