Federal authorities opened an investigation Thursday after someone burned or carved the numbers “86 47” into grass on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with the White House characterizing the message as a threat against President Donald Trump.
The phrase, commonly used in slang to mean removing or eliminating someone, appeared deliberately burned or discolored on the grassy area. U.S. Park Police said they were investigating the incident and collecting grass samples for testing.
What Authorities Found
The U.S. Park Police did not immediately identify who created the message or confirm the exact method used. “Grass samples have been collected for testing,” the agency said in a statement to media outlets.
White House Spokesman Davis Ingle condemned the act, stating, “Anyone who engages in or endorses political violence or assassination culture must be condemned in the harshest terms possible.”
The Broader Context
The “86 47” phrase has circulated among Trump critics for months. Former FBI Director James B. Comey posted an Instagram photo last year showing seashells arranged as “86 47” on a North Carolina beach, which prompted a U.S. Secret Service inquiry.
Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio criticized Comey’s explanation that he simply photographed a natural arrangement he discovered while walking. “It’s a crime to threaten the president,” Jordan said during a Fox News interview, adding that Comey’s post was not credible as an innocent observation.
The Investigation Into Comey
A federal judge was assigned to oversee charges against Comey after the Justice Department filed new allegations last month. U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan of the Eastern District of North Carolina, appointed by former President George W. Bush, was tasked with presiding over the case.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News that the indictment resulted from an extensive investigation involving career prosecutors, FBI agents, and Secret Service agents. “Rest assured that it’s not just the Instagram post that leads somebody to get indicted,” Blanche said, indicating the investigation extended beyond Comey’s social media activity.
This story has been updated. CNN’s team contributed to this report.
