Federal authorities opened an investigation Thursday after the numbers “86 47” were burned or carved into grass on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., prompting the White House to characterize the message as a threat against President Donald Trump.
The phrase appeared deliberately burned or discolored in one of the grassy areas of the landmark, according to officials. The United States Park Police said they launched an inquiry into the vandalism.
U.S. Park Police told media outlets that “grass samples have been collected for testing” as part of the investigation. The agency did not immediately identify a suspect or provide details on how the message was created.
White House Response
White House Spokesman Davis Ingle condemned the act in a statement. “Anyone who engages in or endorses political violence or assassination culture must be condemned in the harshest terms possible,” Ingle said.
The White House characterized “86 47” as slang terminology often used to reference killing or removing someone. The phrase had circulated online among some Trump critics.
Connection to Previous Controversy
The incident follows a separate controversy involving former FBI Director James B. Comey, who posted an Instagram photo last year showing seashells arranged in the pattern “86 47” on a North Carolina beach.
The Secret Service conducted an inquiry into Comey’s post. Comey later explained that he had simply photographed an arrangement he observed during a walk.
Ohio GOP Rep. Jim Jordan rejected that explanation during a Fox News appearance, stating, “Well, it’s a crime to threaten the president. 18 USC Section 871. So you can’t do that. And he obviously did.”
Jordan argued Comey’s explanation was implausible, telling host Bill Hemmer: “He was just strolling on the beach one morning drinking his coffee and the good lord washed up on shore and the shells formed 86-47 and he took a picture of it. OK, that’s his story. I don’t think anyone buys that.”
Legal Developments
The Justice Department brought charges against Comey last month following a year-long investigation. U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan of the Eastern District of North Carolina was assigned to preside over the case.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News that the indictment extended beyond the Instagram post. “Every case requires an investigation, and what you just showed is one part of that investigation,” Blanche said.
Blanche emphasized that career prosecutors, FBI agents and Secret Service agents conducted extensive work on the matter. “Rest assured that the career Assistant United States Attorneys in North Carolina, the career FBI agents, the career Secret Service agents that investigated this case didn’t just look at the Instagram post and walk away,” he stated.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Digital Team contributed to this report.
