Someone is marking a huge '8647' into the grounds of the National Mall in DC
By Nathan HowardReuters
Authorities responded to what appeared to be a large tracing of the term 8647 into the grounds of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., June 11, 2026. A Reuters photographer captured the emerging image from atop the Washington Monument on the Mall's grass shortly before authorities arrived. The arrangement of the numbers was clearly an attempt to show 8647, though the 4 was not fully formed. Federal prosecutors on other occasions have said the term could indicate a threat to President Trump, the 47th U.S. president. REUTERS/ Nathan Howard
Nathan Howard
Reuters
WASHINGTON - U.S. authorities were responding on Thursday to what appeared to be a large tracing of "8647" into the grounds of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
A Reuters photographer atop the Washington Monument saw the apparent tracing in the grass near the World War Two Memorial shortly before officials arrived. It shows the numbers eight, six and seven, but a four is not clearly defined.
U.S. Park Police and members of the National Guard were responding to the scene.
The term "8647" has been adopted by opponents of President Donald Trump as a protest against his administration. Trump allies and the U.S. Department of Justice have said it could be interpreted as a call to violence.
It references the slang term "86," originating in the restaurant industry meaning to expel or "get rid" of something, and Trump as the 47th U.S. president.
It was unclear how the markings in the grass were made. In those areas the grass is brown, in contrast to the surrounding green grass.
(Reporting by Nathan Howard; Writing by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Michael Learmonth and Daniel Wallis)
Authorities responded to what appeared to be a large tracing of the term 8647 into the grounds of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., June 11, 2026. A Reuters photographer captured the emerging image from atop the Washington Monument on the Mall's grass shortly before authorities arrived. The arrangement of the numbers was clearly an attempt to show 8647, though the 4 was not fully formed. Federal prosecutors on other occasions have said the term could indicate a threat to President Trump, the 47th U.S. president. REUTERS/ Nathan Howard Nathan Howard Reuters
Authorities responded to what appeared to be a large tracing of the term 8647 into the grounds of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., June 11, 2026. A Reuters photographer captured the emerging image from atop the Washington Monument on the Mall's grass shortly before authorities arrived. The arrangement of the numbers was clearly an attempt to show 8647, though the 4 was not fully formed. Federal prosecutors on other occasions have said the term could indicate a threat to President Trump, the 47th U.S. president. REUTERS/ Nathan Howard Nathan Howard Reuters
Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.
This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 11:26 AM.
