The mysterious numbers ‘8647’ appeared on the National Mall in the US capital Washington DC on Thursday. Police are investigating the striking markings as vandalism, but the message is mainly causing political commotion: ‘8647’ is seen by many as a hidden call for violence against President Donald Trump.
Around 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon, police cars and emergency services rushed to the famous lawn in the heart of Washington DC after noticeable brown discolorations were noticed there. “The cause has not yet been determined,” police said. “Grass samples have been collected for research. The investigation is still ongoing.”
In photos of the site, the numbers 8, 6, 4 and 7 are clearly visible. The number 4 is less distinguishable, but according to the police it is indeed this number.
Hidden call
The combination of the numbers 86 and 47 is particularly sensitive in the United States. ’86’ is used in colloquial speech to indicate that someone must disappear or be thrown out. The number 47 refers to Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States. Especially within the MAGA movement, ‘8647’ is therefore seen as a hidden call for violence against Trump.
The US Department of the Interior responded particularly sharply to the markings in the grass. “This type of vandalism will not be tolerated,” it said. “Any threat against the president is taken extremely seriously by this ministry.”
White House spokesman Davis Ingle also lashed out. “Anyone who engages in or supports political violence or a culture of political killings must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” he wrote in a statement.
James Comey
The figures have surfaced more often in political discussions in recent months. For example, earlier this year, former FBI director James Comey posted a photo on Instagram of shells in the sand that together formed the series of numbers. The post was quickly deleted after Trump supporters accused him of encouraging violence against the president.
Comey was later charged with threatening the president’s life and physical integrity. According to the complaint, a “reasonable person” could have interpreted the message as a serious threat.
The National Mall, the famous green strip between the Capitol, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, is one of the most symbolic places in the United States. The location will also be central in the coming months during festivities surrounding the 250th anniversary of American independence.
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