Federal investigators launched a full-scale probe after workers discovered a 15-by-30-foot graffiti message spray-painted on the bottom of the drained Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Friday morning. The code “86 47″—restaurant slang for “kill” combined with Trump’s presidential number—appeared just days after former FBI Director James Comey faced indictment for posting this exact phrase on social media last year.
Vandals Target Presidential Renovation Project
U.S. Park Police received notification around 7:20 a.m. from National Park Service officials about the vandalism. Authorities secured the affected areas with tarps while construction crews worked on President Trump’s historic renovation of the 2,030-foot reflecting pool. The project, personally overseen by Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, aims to complete repairs before America’s 250th birthday celebration on July 4. Freelance journalist Andrew Leyden photographed the covered sections and reported additional graffiti incidents at the construction site over recent days.
The National Park Service and U.S. Park Police issued a joint statement condemning the act as “unacceptable” and vowing full accountability for those responsible. The president survived three assassination attempts since the 2024 campaign—two during the race and another last week when an intruder breached security at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner venue. No suspects have been identified, and no arrests were reported as of Friday night.
Trump’s Renovation Project Moves Forward
The president publicly criticized the Biden administration in late March and April for allowing the landmark to deteriorate into what he called “filthy,” “dirty,” and “leaking like a sieve” conditions. Trump directed contractors, including a pool specialist from his real-estate background, to install an industrial-grade “American Flag Blue” liner over the damaged granite foundation. The low-cost solution, estimated between one and two million dollars, avoids a proposed three-year, $300 million replacement while dramatically improving the site’s appearance within weeks.
Security Concerns Mount After Repeated Threats
The vandalism represents the latest in a series of security incidents targeting the president. Trump has shared progress photos and updates on Truth Social, emphasizing the renovation’s importance to America’s heritage. On April 24, he posted images highlighting the project’s success compared to the previous administration’s costly, time-consuming proposal. Federal investigators continue searching for evidence at the construction site while maintaining heightened security protocols around the memorial and ongoing renovation work.
