The U.S. Park Police launched an investigation Friday after a large display of graffiti was discovered at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which is currently undergoing a high-profile renovation.
The National Park Service notified authorities of the vandalism at approximately 7:20 a.m., the Washington Examiner reported. The graffiti, which measured roughly 15 by 30 feet, featured the numbers “86 47” spray-painted onto the site.
“The affected area has been secured and covered while cleanup is arranged,” a spokesperson for the U.S. Park Police told the outlet.
The agency described the vandalism as “unacceptable” and stated that an active investigation was underway to hold those responsible accountable.
In the service industry, the number “86” is common shorthand for removing an item from the menu. The sequence has been interpreted by some Republicans as a threat against Donald Trump, the 47th president.
The incident follows the recent indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, who was charged this week with making a threat against the president after posting an image of seashells on a beach arranged to spell “8647” on social media last year.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has denied claims that the charges over the seemingly innocuous picture are politically motivated. It is the second time charges have been brought against Comey, whose prosecution President Donald Trump has publicly called for.
One protester – an unaffiliated political candidate in Florida – has challenged the Department of Justice to charge him over merchandise featuring the phrase “8647.”
The discovery of the graffiti in D.C. also comes amid heightened security concerns for the president. Last Saturday, a man was charged with attempted assassination after breaching a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
The reflecting pool is currently the site of an accelerated beautification project ordered by Trump and overseen by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. The renovation involves installing a blue surface at the bottom of the pool — intended to match the American flag — to cover a leaking granite foundation.
Andrew Leyden, a Washington-based media freelancer, reported seeing police activity and tarps covering sections of the pool Friday morning.
“Two areas of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool are covered by tarps this morning, and US Park Police are on scene talking to workers and apparently looking for evidence,” Leyden posted on X. “Unknown what happened, but the construction site has reportedly had some graffiti over the last few days, and the ‘Thank You Trump’ banners have been removed.”
The Interior Department, which provided the same statement as the U.S. Park Police, is working to complete the project ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations this summer.
Trump previously criticized the previous administration for the state of the landmark, pledging that the site would be fully restored by July 4.
“Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and I are working on fixing the absolutely filthy Reflecting Pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This work was supposed to be done by the Biden Administration, but Sleepy Joe doesn’t know what ‘CLEAN’ or proper maintenance is — The President and Secretary do!”
