Former FBI Director James Comey is under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service following a social media post that many interpreted as a call for violence against President Donald Trump.
The controversy erupted after Comey posted, then later deleted, a photo on Instagram showing seashells arranged to spell out the numbers “86 47.”
The numbers sparked alarm among Trump supporters and administration officials.
The term “86” is commonly understood as slang for “getting rid of” or “eliminating” someone, while “47” corresponds to Trump’s position as the 47th president of the United States.
This combination led to accusations that Comey was subtly calling for the assassination of the president.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem condemned the post on social media, stating, “Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of @POTUS Trump. DHS and Secret Service is investigating this threat and will respond appropriately.”
The Secret Service confirmed it is “vigorously investigating” the matter, emphasizing the seriousness with which it treats any potential threats against protectees.
Comey denied any intent to incite violence, explaining in a statement that he had posted the photo of shells during a beach walk, believing it to be a political message.
“I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down,” he said.
The post drew sharp criticism from Trump’s allies. Donald Trump Jr. wrote on social media, “Just James Comey casually calling for my dad to be murdered. This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!!”
Meanwhile, Dan Scavino, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, called Comey “a POS” and accused him of signaling “bad actors/terrorists to assassinate the POTUS.”
FBI Director Kash Patel stated the FBI is coordinating with the Secret Service and will provide all necessary support, while the Secret Service reiterated its commitment to thoroughly investigate any potential threats.
The incident adds to the long-standing animosity between Comey and Trump. Comey was fired by Trump in 2017 amid investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Since then, Comey has been a vocal critic of the former president.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities assess the implications of the post and any potential risks.
The episode underscores the heightened tensions and sensitivity surrounding political rhetoric and security in the current U.S. political climate.
