The U.S. Park Police have launched an investigation after a large graffiti display was discovered at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which is currently undergoing a high-profile renovation. The vandalism, which occurred early Friday morning, features the numbers '86 47' spray-painted onto the site, measuring approximately 15 by 30 feet.
The National Park Service notified authorities around 7:20 a.m., and the affected area has been secured and covered while cleanup is arranged, a spokesperson for the U.S. Park Police said. The agency described the act as 'unacceptable' and confirmed an active investigation is underway to hold those responsible accountable.
In the service industry, '86' is common shorthand for removing an item from a menu. Some Republicans have interpreted the sequence as a threat against Donald Trump, the 47th president. This 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 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 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 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.
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.
