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Updated on: June 11, 2026 / 3:06 PM EDT
/ CBS News
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Washington — Markings appeared on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Thursday that seem to depict the numbers "86 47," according to photos taken from the top of the Washington Monument.A photographer for the Reuters news outlet saw the apparent markings just before federal authorities arrived to look into the incident, according to the wire service. Photos taken by the Reuters photographer show the faint tracings of "86 47" in the grass with the World War II Memorial in the background.The "8" appears most prominently, while the numbers "6" and "7" can be seen less clearly. The number "4" is the least visible in the photos. It was not immediately clear how the markings were made or who made them. The U.S. Park Police did not immediately return to a request for comment.A spokesperson for the Interior Department 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 U.S. Park Police will investigate this incident and hold those responsible accountable."
