Trump Blames Vandals for Dead Mall Grass

A large stage is built and crowds gather on that stretch of lawn for an Independence Day event marking the nation's 250th anniversary. Trump claimed, without providing evidence, that more than 400,000 people attended before a storm delayed his remarks. Photos from a streaming webcam atop the Washington Monument show a bandstand and seating covering nearly the entire lawn.

Associated Press photos show workers removing the structures, revealing brown, damaged grass underneath.

Trump posts a different photo of the same area that appears to show the numbers "86 47" — which federal officials have said constitutes a threat against Trump — marked into the grass. He calls it "a pure case of VANDALISM, that included the grass," adding: "There may have been some contractor difficulty, but the major damage was caused by VANDALS!"

Trump lashes out at U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro after her office concludes that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was the result of poor construction, not vandalism.

Authorities announce an arrest in connection with vandalism at the World War II Memorial, after the words "Clean hands dirty $" were found painted on the monument and bubbles filled a fountain. Pirro said felony charges are being brought against Melissa L. Farris.

Trump posts the new grass photo. The numbers he cited on Aug. 1 are not visible in it.