Former FBI Director James Comey is under investigation by the Secret Service after a social media post he made was interpreted by some as a potential threat to President Donald Trump. The controversy arose when Comey shared an Instagram photo featuring seashells arranged to spell out “8647”. Although Comey described the image as a “cool shell formation on my beach walk,” the post sparked allegations from some Republicans that it was a veiled call for violence against the President. The numbers, “86” and “47”, were scrutinized due to “86” being associated with the slang term for “to get rid of” or “to kill”, and “47” representing Trump’s presidency as the 47th President of the United States.
The incident prompted a formal response from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who suggested that the post could be interpreted as advocating for the President’s assassination. Despite the accusations, Comey clarified his stance, emphasizing his opposition to violence and explaining that he had not associated the numbers with any harmful implications. He subsequently deleted the post, acknowledging that he did not intend to convey any violent message.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that the agency is investigating the matter thoroughly and takes any potential threats seriously. Meanwhile, the FBI, led by current Director Kash Patel, acknowledged awareness of the situation and expressed their readiness to support the Secret Service in their investigation.
The controversy has drawn reactions from various political figures. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino accused Comey of inciting violence against the President, particularly as Trump is engaged in an international tour. Additionally, Donald Trump Jr. expressed his concerns on social media, interpreting Comey’s post as a direct threat to his father.
This incident adds to Comey’s already complex legacy, marked by his tenure from 2013 to 2017, during which he oversaw a significant investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails just before the 2016 election and was eventually dismissed by Trump amid the probe into Russian election interference. The unfolding investigation underscores the ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding former and current government officials.
