“The cause of the discoloration has not yet been determined. Grass samples have been collected for testing. The investigation is ongoing.”
Just weeks ahead of the Fourth of July and days ahead of UFC Freedom 250, a message referring to assassinating President Donald Trump has been marked into the National Mall near the Reflecting Pool.
The Trump administration told the Daily Mail that a "deranged vandal" wrote the numbers "86 47" into the grass. Park Police and National Guard troops were seen investigating the markings in the stretch of grass that lies between the Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial.
The Park Police said in a statement, "At approximately 11:30 a.m., U.S. Park Police responded to a report of vandalism of the west lawn of the Washington Monument. The numbers '8647' were marked in the grass. The cause of the discoloration has not yet been determined. Grass samples have been collected for testing. The investigation is ongoing."
The number 86 is slang for getting rid of or eliminating something, while 47 refers to Trump, who is the 47th president of the United States. Former FBI Director James Comey has received federal charges over posting the numbers to his social media.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle told the outlet, "Anyone who engages in or endorses political violence or assassination culture must be condemned in the harshest terms possible. They should also immediately seek psychiatric help to treat their severe and debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has warped their brains and made them sick in the head."
The Department of the Interior, which oversees things such as national parks, said, "The deranged vandalism on our National Mall will not be tolerated. Any threat against the President is taken very seriously by the Department, and our US Park Police will investigate this incident and hold those responsible accountable."
The markings were found near the octagon that has been set up for UFC Freedom 250, which will take place on Sunday. Additional events marking the 250th anniversary of America’s founding will take place on the National Mall for the celebrations, including the Great American State Fair that will take place between June 25 and July 4.
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