United States of America

'8647' Etched on National Mall Sparks Investigation

Is this a serious federal crime or is the response dangerous overreach criminalizing free speech?

JUN 12·Updated 5 days ago

'8647' Etched on National Mall Sparks Investigation

Story

Above: The markings “8647” were found in the grass on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on June 11. Image credit: Anna Moneymaker/Staff/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-Trump narrative

Vandalizing the National Mall with "8647" is a serious federal crime, and authorities are right to pursue prosecution. The Department of Interior called it "deranged vandalism," and with James Comey already indicted for posting the same numbers, the pattern of using this phrase to threaten the president is undeniable. Defacing a national landmark ahead of major celebrations deserves the full weight of federal law.

The Washington Examiner

Newsmax on X FOX 5 DC

Anti-Trump narrative

Etching "8647" into National Mall grass is vandalism, but treating restaurant slang as an assassination threat is a massive overreach. A federal judge already ruled the phrase is protected free speech, not a call to violence. Prosecuting people over a number sequence that simply means "remove from office" criminalizes political opposition and sets a dangerous precedent for free expression.

NBC Huffington Post

Joe Rogan Experience on X