Fargo, N.D. – Despite now being on the radar of federal authorities, a man and wife say they’ll continue returning to Fargo’s I-94 pedestrian bridge to unfurl a banner that some believe is calling for violence against President Trump.
Wendy and Judd Hoff of Alexandria, Minnesota spoke exclusively to Flag Family News a day after they were seen on the bridge holding a black banner with “8647” written in white numbers.
And the couple says they plan on coming back to do the same thing.
“I have every right to [return],” said Wendy Hoff. “That is not a crime.”
The combination of numbers on the banner has been called into question lately by the Trump administration, which accuses those of promoting the message as wanting to do harm to the president.
Hoff says they were approached by North Dakota Highway Patrol troopers on Wednesday morning and were asked about the banner.
Hoff claims she explained the meaning of the message, and said it has nothing to do with wanting Trump to be harmed or killed.
“Absolutely not,” said Hoff. “What purpose would that serve?” [The term] ’86’ means to remove or to get thrown out of.”
The number ’47’ refers to Trump being the 47th President of the United States.
Above: Wendy Hoff holds an American flag with an “8647” banner on the I-94 pedestrian bridge in Fargo
But Hoff says the troopers felt differently and informed them federal authorities would be contacted.
“I took it as a threat,” said Hoff. “If they want to investigate something, go right ahead, but by throwing it our face that that’s what was going to happen is a threat.”
In a statement to Flag Family, North Dakota Highway Patrol Lieutenant Jenna Clawson Hiubregtse said they were aware that two people were on the bridge with the banner this week and have referred the case to the U.S. Secret Service.
If proven, a threat against a U.S. president is a federal crime that carries prison time and hefty fines if convicted.
Listen: Wendy Hoff speaks with Flag Family News Director Ken Duffy
The couple has also been at the bridge several times before and returned later that afternoon on May 22nd with the banner.
Even before that day, Hoff himself posted a picture of himself on social media holding an American flag behind the banner on Sunday May 18th.
The couple says they’ve driven to Fargo every two weeks to hold up the banner since February and will continue to do so.
But debate is ongoing about how the ‘8647’ message could be received by others.
On July 13th of last year, a gunman attempted to shoot and kill then-presidential candidate Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.
About two months later in September, a person with a rifle was shot and killed after aiming it at Trump’s security detail while Trump was golfing at his club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Asked if their actions are appropriate and could be misconstrued in light of those facts, Hoff denied that their behavior is encouraging more violence.
“One thing does not equate the other,” responded Hoff, who went as far as to characterize the Pennsylvania assassination attempt as “totally fake”.
Hoff also says they’re not concerned about the ongoing investigation into their activity.
“I’m not worried about it,” said Hoff, whose husband shouted in the background during the interview that their case can go “all the way to the [U.S.] Supreme Court.”
But the couple has a checkered past when it comes to legal trouble.
In 2021, Hoff was convicted of second-degree assault after a man took a flag from his car and confronted the person with a machete.
Last year, the Hoffs were arrested and charged with allegedly stealing political signs and stockpiling them in their backyard.
Hoff was running as a DFL candidate for House District 12B at the time.
The DFL Senate District 12 committee then rescinded their endorsement of Hoff.
Hoff was also accused of stalking and harassing the district’s incumbent Representative Mary Franson, but no charges were filed in that case.
