Politics
NEW: Vandals Leave Message Written In Blood On Washington Monument
Vandals have repeatedly targeted the National Mall this summer, leaving “8647” markings, damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and, in one disturbing case, writing a message in blood on the Washington Monument, federal officials said.
The Department of the Interior warned that the incidents appear to be part of a growing trend as President Donald Trump’s restoration work on the National Mall draws left-wing protests and vandalism.
“Unfortunately, this summer has seen a significant increase in vandalism to the National Mall – for example, several 8647 markings, a person writing words in their own blood on the Washington Monument and the cutting of fuel lines around the Great American State Fair,” Interior Department communication director Katie Martin told Fox News Digital.
The vandalism intensified after Trump ordered the restoration and repainting of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Protesters responded by leaving multiple “razor-blade cuts” in the pool and removing fencing before tossing pieces into the water, according to officials.
Fox News Digital reported that the first known incident at the Reflecting Pool happened June 9.
Interior officials said they initially did not publicize it because they believed it was isolated and did not want to encourage copycats.
“At the time of the June 9 incident, the vandalism was under investigation and believed to be isolated. So as not to encourage deranged individuals, we did not announce what we hoped to be an isolated incident,” Interior Department communication director Katie Martin told Fox News Digital about the initial vandalism on the Reflecting Pool.
But the damage did not stop.
“It wasn’t until several days thereafter that there were recurring cases and videos of people ripping at the coating began to circulate,” she added. “We then knew this was not an isolated incident, but a new trend to attempt to damage the Reflecting Pool.”
Officials said the National Mall has also been marked multiple times with “8647.”
In another incident, an individual used their own blood to write “I’ve come” on the Washington Monument, according to a police report.
The administration has previously interpreted “86” as a political threat, noting that the term is often used in the restaurant industry to mean removing or refusing service.
The “47” appears to refer to Donald Trump as the 47th president.
Earlier this month, a large “8647” message was etched into the grass of the National Mall, prompting a federal investigation as authorities remain on alert over political threats and violence.
The Reflecting Pool was vandalized the same day it reopened after restoration and repainting.
According to a police report reviewed by Fox News Digital, the first perpetrator left “razor-blade-like slashes along the liner in the southern middle section of the pool.”
The damage stretched more than 300 feet, with “some cuts that were slits while other sections measuring roughly 6–15 inches had been cut out entirely.”
The same day, pieces of surrounding metal fencing were removed and thrown into the pool, along with a broken black chain near the fence, according to the same report.
U.S. Park Police posted a bulletin on X asking the public to help identify a suspect in connection with damage at the Reflecting Pool.
“The United States Park Police is seeking assistance in identifying the individual depicted here in connection with a Destruction of Government Property investigation. The incident occurred on June 19, 2026, at approximately 3:36 p.m. at the Reflecting Pool on the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC,” said the post.
RELATED:NEW: 5 Arrested For Vandalizing Reflecting Pool
“Anyone with information regarding the identity of this individual is asked to contact the United States Park Police Tip Line: [email protected] or (202) 379-4877,” it read.
Trump posted a photo of the restored pool surface on Truth Social Wednesday before it was filled with water.
“This is the hard rubber surface — No Paint — Before the Vandals cut and pulled it apart,” he wrote.
An administration official previously told Fox News Digital that five people have been arrested on vandalism charges tied to the pool.
Five additional people have received federal citations, and 14 police reports have been filed for vandalism against the pool.
Among those charged was former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was cited Saturday for misdemeanor destruction of government property.
Authorities allege Hearn reached into the water and grabbed a hose being used by a National Park Service worker.
The administration had already planned to fence off the Reflecting Pool before the Fourth of July, when the area will be used as a fireworks launch site.
After the vandalism, officials moved the fencing installation up by a week.
“The Reflecting Pool was always set to be fenced off ahead of the 4th of July. As in years prior, one of the launch pads for the fireworks is around the pool so fencing is put up to ensure public safety,” said White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers. “With the increase in vandalism by leftist activists, the fencing is going up earlier than originally planned to ensure no more damage is done to this historic site.
RELATED: Ex-Olympian Arrested For Vandalizing Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
“While the President was restoring a crown jewel of our nation’s capital, which is supported by Americans across the country, vandals were attempting to destroy, impede and delay the ongoing work,” she added.
Trump has publicly blasted the vandalism, first raising the issue on Truth Social Friday.
“Somebody went in with the knife and cut it. They cut it up good and then they cut at 200, 350 feet, in the form of lots of little slits. We know horrible stuff,” Trump said Tuesday while speaking with reporters.
Trump also said vandals damaged newly installed grass near the Reflecting Pool.
Vandals “destroyed the grass. We put a brand-new big load of grass out there. They destroyed it. So it’s all been fixed. But it’s a shame,” he added speaking of an “8647” message.
Protesters have gathered at the National Mall daily over Trump’s restoration work, with some carrying signs that read “Team Algae” in reference to the water.
The vandalism has turned what the administration framed as a civic cleanup project into another political flashpoint, with federal officials warning that activists are not just protesting the restoration, but trying to destroy parts of it.
