President Donald Trump issued a warning on Monday concerning vandalism on the National Mall. He highlighted the “8647” marking in the grass, connecting it to broader incidents near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
The numbers “8647” appeared on the National Mall lawn on June 11, leading authorities to investigate the etching in the browned grass. This issue coincided with problems at the reflecting pool following its reopening in early June. The pool had recently undergone a renovation costing over $14 million, but soon faced algae blooms and peeling blue paint. Officials are actively investigating the vandalism and making arrests related to activities around the pool.
Trump posted on Truth Social, emphasizing that federal authorities would impose harsh penalties for any “destruction.” He stated, “Of the MANY Statues and Fountains that we rebuilt, renovated, cleaned, and fixed, the only one that was Vandalized was the Reflecting Pool, which is being taken care of, ASAP!” His message continued to outline the damage, including a 300-foot gash, illegal chemicals in the water, and a significant “8647” marking in the grass. He suggested the marking might be inspired by “Dirty Cop, James Comey.” Trump reminded that a 10-year prison sentence applies for the destruction or attempted destruction of such monuments, promising full enforcement.
Newsweek has reached out to the White House for a comment via email. This is a developing story, with updates expected.