Former FBI Director James Comey is under scrutiny after posting a photo on Instagram that critics say was a veiled threat against President Donald Trump. The post, which showed seashells arranged in the numbers “86 47”, sparked outrage among Trump supporters and conservative figures.
What Did the Post Say?
The photo featured seashells on a beach arranged to form the numbers 86 47, with the caption: “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.”
Critics quickly pointed out that:
- “86” is old U.S. slang for getting rid of something.
- “47” refers to Trump being the 47th President of the United States.
Some Trump supporters interpreted the post as a coded message to “get rid of” Trump, even calling it an incitement to violence.
Comey Responds: “No Threat Intended”
Comey, who has been an outspoken critic of Trump since being fired as FBI Director in 2017, denied that the post was intended as a threat.
“I DIDN’T REALIZE SOME FOLKS ASSOCIATE THOSE NUMBERS WITH VIOLENCE,” HE WROTE IN A FOLLOW-UP INSTAGRAM POST. “IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME, BUT I OPPOSE VIOLENCE OF ANY KIND, SO I TOOK THE POST DOWN.”
He added that he believed the shells “were a political message” and removed the photo once he understood the controversy it caused.
Government Agencies Respond
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Secret Service confirmed they are investigating the post as a potential threat to the president. A Secret Service spokesperson said:
“WE TAKE ANYTHING THAT COULD BE PERCEIVED AS A THREAT TO OUR PROTECTEES SERIOUSLY. WE ARE AWARE OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS IN QUESTION.”
Trump Allies React Strongly
Donald Trump Jr. accused Comey of “casually calling for my dad to be murdered.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the post was being investigated as a serious threat.
Former FBI official Kash Patel confirmed that the FBI is offering support to the Secret Service.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard went as far as to say Comey should be jailed, calling his actions “irresponsible and dangerous.”
Other Republicans, like Congressman Andy Ogles, called for a full legal investigation, demanding to know whether Comey still has access to any classified information.
The Phrase “86 47”: What Does It Mean?
“86” is restaurant slang from the 1930s, meaning to cancel, reject, or eliminate.
“47” is a clear reference to Trump’s current presidency as the 47th U.S. President.
While the phrase “86 47” has been used online by critics of Trump to mean “remove him from office,” some took it to imply physical harm or assassination, though no direct threat was made.
Social media platform X’s AI assistant, Grok, explained that the phrase likely meant political removal, not physical violence — but added that interpretations may vary.
Comey and Trump’s Tumultuous History
James Comey served as FBI Director under President Obama and continued under Trump before being fired in 2017. He led investigations into both Hillary Clinton’s emails and Russian interference in the 2016 election. Since his firing, he’s been a vocal critic of Trump, calling him “morally unfit” in his book A Higher Loyalty.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- James Comey deleted an Instagram post showing “86 47” after backlash.
- Critics claimed it was a coded message to harm or remove President Trump.
- Comey denied any violent intent and said he opposes violence of any kind.
- DHS and Secret Service are actively investigating the incident.
- The post has reignited tensions between Trump supporters and the former FBI chief.
