Large etchings of numbers signaling opposition to Trump appear on National Mall

Source: Washington Post

A White House spokesman decried the numerals “86 47″ marked into the grass near the World War II Memorial as an endorsement of political violence.

U.S. Park Police, the D.C. fire department and members of the National Guard were seen responding Thursday to what appeared to be large-scale etchings of the numerals “86 47” on the ‌grounds of the National ‌Mall.

The numerals 8, 6 and 7 were visible, but the 4 wasn’t clearly etched into the grass. It remains unclear how the markings were made, according to the Park Police. The term “86” is restaurant industry slang that generally refers to the unavailability of an item or a customer’s removal. Trump allies have argued it can also mean to kill someone. Trump is the 47th president of the United States, so the digits have been used to show opposition to Trump and have been seen by some as a threat against him.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Interior Department described the markings as “deranged vandalism” and promised to “hold those responsible accountable” in an emailed statement.

The numerals, which are visible in photos taken two days ago, were not discernible to people on the National Mall, who could only see a few brownish patches of grass near the World War II Memorial. The numerals seemed to be visible only from a tall vantage point, such as the top of the Washington Monument.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/06/11/apparent-etchings-86-47-seen-trump-threat-spotted-national-mall