UMVA has learned that a federal judge, appointed by former President Barack Obama, has temporarily blocked the National Park Service from removing a contentious flag near the National Mall, dealing a blow to President Donald Trump's administration.
The flag in question bears the cryptic message "86 47," which has sparked controversy over its perceived threat to the President. A Department of the Interior spokesperson lambasted the decision, saying, "In what world have we lost all decency, to demand that any threat against the President be taken very seriously."
The dispute centers on a progressive activist group, Accountability Now USA, which flew the flag alleging that the National Park Service had violated their First Amendment rights by threatening to revoke their permit. US District Judge Randolph Moss granted a temporary restraining order, allowing the flag to remain displayed for now.
Moss, who was appointed to the federal bench by Obama, found the meaning of "86" to be ambiguous, noting that the flag itself did not contain violent symbols and bore patriotic colors. The judge wrote that the evidence showed the flag was displayed to urge Congress to impeach and remove President Trump from office.
The administration, however, has interpreted the number "86" as a political threat, citing its common use in the restaurant industry to mean removing or refusing service. This controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of "86 47" messages, including the recent charges against former FBI Director James Comey over a similar message.
Comey was charged with two federal counts over an Instagram post showing seashells arranged to read "86 47," and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The former FBI Director has denied any violent intent, explaining that he understood the message to mean "leave or ditch."
This is not the only instance of controversy surrounding threats to President Trump. There have been multiple attempts on his life, including two assassination attempts in 2024. Trump has repeatedly been targeted by violence, including an incident at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.
The temporary restraining order in the flag case is set to remain in place for 14 days as litigation continues. The decision has drawn sharp pushback from Trump's administration, with the Department of the Interior vowing to comply with the court's orders while expressing strong objections.
