Feds Investigate ’86 47′ Phrase Discovered on the National Mall in an Apparent Call to Assassinate President Trump
Federal authorities have opened an investigation after the phrase “86 47” was discovered burned or carved into a grassy section of the National Mall, an incident that has drawn condemnation from the White House and renewed scrutiny over the phrase’s use in political discourse.
The markings were discovered Thursday on federal property in the nation’s capital. Photographs circulating online showed the numbers prominently displayed in a discolored patch of grass near the National Mall.
The U.S. Park Police confirmed it is investigating the incident and said grass samples have been collected for testing as authorities work to determine how the damage occurred and who may be responsible.
Officials have not identified any suspects or announced any arrests.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle condemned the vandalism, saying any rhetoric or actions that could be interpreted as encouraging political violence should be rejected.
“Anyone who engages in or endorses political violence or assassination culture must be condemned in the harshest terms possible,” Ingle said in a statement.
The phrase “86 47” has become a subject of political controversy in recent months. Critics of President Donald Trump have used the phrase online and in public commentary, while supporters of the president have argued it amounts to a threat against him.
The number “47” is commonly associated with Trump because he is serving as the 47th president of the United States. The meaning of “86” has been disputed, though it is often used in slang to mean removing or getting rid of something.
The controversy intensified last year after former FBI Director James Comey posted an image on social media showing seashells arranged to form the numbers “86 47.”
Comey later removed the post and denied any threatening intent, saying he simply photographed a formation he noticed while walking on a beach.
The image nevertheless prompted a review by the U.S. Secret Service and became the focus of criticism from Republican lawmakers.
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has publicly argued that the phrase constituted a threat against the president and cited federal laws prohibiting threats against sitting presidents.
Jordan renewed those criticisms during a recent television appearance, rejecting Comey’s explanation and claiming the message carried a more serious meaning.
Federal prosecutors have since brought charges against Comey in a separate case, though officials have indicated the investigation involved more than the social media post alone.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche recently said the case resulted from a lengthy investigation involving federal prosecutors, FBI agents and Secret Service personnel.
Blanche declined to discuss evidence presented to a grand jury but said investigators examined multiple factors before pursuing charges, per the Conservative Brief.
The discovery on the National Mall comes nearly two years after Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, an event that heightened security concerns surrounding threats against public officials.
Authorities have not indicated whether the National Mall incident is connected to any specific group or individual.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have urged anyone with information regarding the vandalism to contact federal law enforcement.
Park Police said additional updates will be released as investigators gather more evidence and complete forensic testing related to the damaged area.
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