US authorities investigate huge etching of ‘8647’ on National Mall grounds
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- US Park Police are investigating the appearance of the numbers "8647" etched into the grass on the west lawn of the National Mall near the Washington Monument, with the cause of the discoloration still unknown.
- The numbers "86" are commonly used in the restaurant industry to mean "stop" or "get rid of," and "47" references Donald Trump as the 47th president, raising concerns about a potential threat.
- The Department of the Interior described the incident as "deranged vandalism" and emphasized that any threat against the president is taken seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.
- This incident follows a similar case involving former FBI Director James Comey, who was charged with threatening the president after posting an image featuring the same numbers arranged in seashells.
- The investigation is ongoing as the US prepares for its 250th anniversary celebrations on the National Mall, where a series of events are planned as part of the "Great American State Fair."