The numbers “8647” appeared in large scale on the grass of the National Mall on Thursday, June 11, only days before President Donald Trump’s birthday, prompting an investigation from the U.S. Park Police.
According to Reuters, park officials said they responded to the National Mall at around 11:30 a.m. local time to see a tracing of the numbers “8647” on the grass of the west lawn of the mall. Photos taken by Reuters from the top of the Washington Monument clearly show the numbers “8” and “7”, while the numbers “6” and “4” are more faintly visible.
"The cause of the discoloration has not yet been determined," Park Police said in a statement to Reuters. "Grass samples have been collected for testing. The investigation is ongoing."
The incident comes as the National Mall is set to host events celebrating the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and only weeks before a 16-day “Great American State Fair” is set to take place at the Mall.