Vandalism on the National Mall

James Comey must be so proud. He's clearly one of the inspirations for this new act of vandalism on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

Breaking news: U.S. Park Police, the D.C. fire department and members of the National Guard were seen responding to what appeared to be an anti-Trump message “86 47″ etched into the grass on the National Mall. https://t.co/1YJBWtPuLW pic.twitter.com/XRnaz5lu3u

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 11, 2026

But the location of this vandalism is a hint to something else that inspired it. This sits right near the base of the Reflecting Pool, the one that President Trump just renovated. 

‘Deranged’ vandal marked National Mall with giant menacing anti-Trump ‘8647’ message https://t.co/SaOCpGpUtL pic.twitter.com/mMfuUrzKlh

— New York Post (@nypost) June 11, 2026

I think some leftist decided we wouldn't have any more views of the renovated pool without also having an anti-Trump message framed in the shot. That's why the letters are so big and why they are facing the camera on the top of the Washington Monument.

It was only a few days ago that everyone on X seemed focused on the argument about whether or not the renovated Reflecting Pool looked any different. And many people, myself included, pointed to the before and after visible from this particular camera.

This image was everywhere as a rebuke to the people who complained that the renovation was ugly and expensive and then turned on a dime to say it didn't make any difference. In any case, whenever the vandalism happened, the key point was making sure President Trump didn't get any credit for doing something to beautify Washington.

If Trump wants to make Washington, DC beautiful, the left will do their best to make it ugly.

So, I'm just guessing here, but it seems like some enterprising dirtbag (or group of dirtbags) decided to ruin the view of the renovated Reflecting Pool by spraying something to kill the grass. And indeed, if you look at the live shot from the same camera today, you can see the numbers and someone out there making efforts to reseed the grass. In fact, the Post reports that the numbers are only really visible from above, i.e. the camera at the top of the Washington Monument.

U.S. Park Police, the D.C. fire department and members of the National Guard were seen responding Thursday to what appeared to be large-scale etchings of the numerals “86 47” on the ‌grounds of the National ‌Mall.

The numerals 8, 6 and 7 were visible, but the 4 wasn’t clearly etched into the grass. It remains unclear how the markings were made, according to the Park Police. The term “86” is restaurant industry slang that generally refers to the unavailability of an item or a customer’s removal. Trump allies have argued it can also mean to kill someone. Trump is the 47th president of the United States, so the digits have been used to show opposition to Trump and have been seen by some as a threat against him.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Interior Department described the markings as “deranged vandalism” and promised to “hold those responsible accountable” in an emailed statement.

The numerals, which are visible in photos taken two days ago, were not discernible to people on the National Mall, who could only see a few brownish patches of grass near the World War II Memorial. The numerals seemed to be visible only from a tall vantage point, such as the top of the Washington Monument.

Unlike Comey's stunt with the shells, this is actual vandalism. Presumably whoever did this (and it could be several people working together, planned it in advance and spent some time walking around over this part of the grass. Hopefully the EarthCam video can be rewound to help give authorities get an idea of who was involved.

And finally, the people behind this are playing the same game that James Comey was playing, i.e. pretending this isn't a threat even as they know it can be read as a threat. This isn't even the first attempt connected to the Reflecting Pool reno.

The numbers "8647" were also found spray-painted in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool amid renovations in early May, National Park Service officials said last month.

The damage to the grass spotted Thursday shows "people are just frustrated because the Mall is being remade, I think," Judy Scott Feldman, who heads the National Mall Coalition's board of directors, told the New York Times.

Normal people aren't frustrated. Left-wing nuts are frustrated. Like I said, if Trump wants to make the city more beautiful, the left will try to make it ugly just to spite him.

Editor’s Note: The American people overwhelmingly support President Trump’s law and order agenda.

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