James Comey Removes Post After Trump Threat Accusation

Former FBI Director James Comey deleted a new Instagram post after it received stiff blowback from conservatives. The post depicted seashells arranged in the sand to form the numbers “86 47,” which some interpreted as a coded threat against President Donald Trump. For example, the term ‘86’ is popularly used to mean to get rid of something completely, and ’47’ references Trump holding the highest office as the country’s 47th president.

Donald Trump Jr. responded on social media, blaming Comey for inferring violence to his father. “Just James Comey casually suggesting that my dad be murdered,” he wrote, adding that the posting was “demented.”

Comey Says He Didn’t Know Releasing His Memos Was Illegal, Reacts To Outrage

Comey, who has become one of Trump’s most strident critics since his dismissal in 2017, said that he did not mean his message as a threat. He said he saw the shells when he was out for a walk and assumed someone else had left a political message. “I never knew some people have the problem associating those numbers with the gangster rap aesthetic of violence,” Comey wrote. “I never thought about it but I don’t condone violence on any level so I removed the post.”

In the wake of the uproar, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that both DHS and the Secret Service were probing the matter. The Secret Service is aware of the post, said a spokesperson, who would not comment on ongoing protective issues.

Federal Officials and Other Public Figures React

FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau is assisting the Secret Service with their investigation into the incident. He also said they’re in contact with the appropriate agencies and will help where they can.

National Director of Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also spoke out and accused Comey of criminal behavior for the post. She said as an ex-director of the FBI he had known how such a message would be received and demanded that he be arrested.

Comey was FBI director for more than three years and oversaw several sensitive cases, including two investigations into Russian election interference — one of which involved the handling of Hillary Clinton’s emails. He has been criticized by members of both parties for how he handled those investigations. Trump fired him in May 2017, during the early months of his presidency.

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