FIRST ON FOX: Vandals have targeted the National Mall with multiple separate "8647" markings, a blood-written message on the Washington Monument and damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, prompting federal officials to warn of a growing trend. "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 pattern emerged after President Donald Trump ordered a restoration and repainting of the reflecting pool, which was met with protestors leaving multiple "razor-blade cuts" and removing fencing to then toss in water.Fox News Digital learned that the first known incident targeting the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool occurred June 9.Interior Department officials said they initially did not publicize the incident to avoid inspiring copycats, but a vandalism trend emerged nonetheless.WHO IS DAVID HEARN? US OLYMPIAN WHO DENIES VANDALIZING REFLECTING POOL AFTER VIRAL ARRESTVandals target the National Mall with razor-blade cuts to the Reflecting Pool.
(Department of Interior)"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."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."Among the incidents cited by DOI unfolding on the National Mall were multiple "8647" markings.In a separate case, ...