Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool vandalized with ‘86 47’ graffiti
Teh U.S. Park Police are investigating vandalism at the lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool under renovation after “86 47”/“8647” graffiti was found there on Friday. Officials said they were notified around 7:20 a.m. about the approximately 15-by-30-foot spray-painting, which was later covered while cleanup was arranged. Authorities described the act as unacceptable on federal land and said the case is actively under investigation.
The “86” reference is commonly associated with the restaurant industry meaning “get rid of,” and some Republicans have interpreted “86 47” as a threat aimed at Donald Trump, who is described as the 47th president. The article also notes that former FBI Director James Comey was indicted this week for posting an Instagram image containing “86 47,” and that a separate man has been charged with attempting to assassinate Trump after entering an area at the Washington Hilton during a White House Correspondents’ association event.
The vandalism comes as the Interior Department renovates the reflecting pool,including installing a blue surface meant to match the American flag and address an older leaky granite foundation. The project is expected to be finished by July 4, and the piece adds that Trump had previously criticized the pool’s condition and blamed the Biden management for letting it become “filthy.”
The U.S. Park Police is investigating the area around the under-renovation Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, where “86 47” graffiti was found on Friday.
“Around 7:20 a.m. this morning, the U.S. Park Police was notified by the National Park Service of approximately 15-by-30-foot ‘8647’ graffiti spray-painted in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool,” a spokesperson for the agency told the Washington Examiner.
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The number “86” is a term the restaurant industry uses to refer to out-of-stock items or to “get rid of” something, and some Republicans interpret “86 47” as a threat against Donald Trump, who is now the 47th president.
Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted this week for posting on Instagram an image of “86 47” last May. A man who stormed past a security checkpoint on Saturday at the Washington Hilton — where the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was taking place, with Trump and administration officials in attendance — has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president. Trump faced two prior assassination attempts in 2024.
National Park Service police said the vandalism was “unacceptable and will not be tolerated on federal lands,” adding that the “affected area has been secured and covered while cleanup is arranged.”
“An active investigation is underway, and those responsible will be identified and held fully accountable,” the agency added.
When asked for comment, the Interior Department provided the same statement as the one given by the U.S. Park Police.
Andrew Leyden, a media freelancer based in Washington, D.C., spotted police activity around the reflecting pool, noting there have been recent reports of graffiti and signs spotted on the site.
“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 incident comes as the reflecting pool on the National Mall is undergoing renovations.
The Interior Department is working to update the landmark by installing a blue surface at the bottom of the pool. The new color is supposed to match the American flag. The renovation seeks to cover up a decades-old, leaky granite foundation that would take years to replace.
Trump tasked Interior Secretary Doug Burgum with the assignment ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday this summer. The beautification project is expected to be completed by July 4, the president said last week.
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In late March, Trump blamed the Biden administration for letting the reflecting pool become “filthy.”
“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!”
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