Former FBI Director James Comey finds himself under Secret Service investigation after posting a cryptic “86 47” seashell arrangement on Instagram that many interpreted as a violent threat against President Trump. Comey’s post, coming after two assassination attempts against Trump this year, has sparked outrage across conservative circles and prompted demands for his arrest. His claim that he innocently discovered the arrangement on a beach walk has been met with widespread skepticism from those who remember his contentious history with President Trump.
Secret Service Investigating Comey’s “86 47” Post as Potential Threat
The Department of Homeland Security and Secret Service confirmed they are investigating former FBI Director James Comey’s Instagram post featuring seashells arranged to form “86 47.” The term “eighty-six” is widely known to mean “to get rid of” someone or something, while “47” clearly references Donald Trump as the 47th president.
President Donald Trump lashed out Friday against ex-FBI director James Comey over an Instagram post that contained an image that top Trump officials claimed was a threat. https://t.co/uvbNmCOFzk https://t.co/uvbNmCOFzk
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) May 16, 2025
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was among the first to condemn the post, stating bluntly: “Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of @POTUS Trump.” The Secret Service spokesperson, Anthony Guglielmi, acknowledged the situation without specifics: “We are aware of the social media posts by the former FBI director and we take rhetoric like this very seriously.”
Comey Claims Innocence Despite Suspicious Timing
Appearing on “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert, Comey insisted he stumbled upon the shell arrangement while walking on the beach with his wife. His explanation that he was unaware of any violent connotation and believed it was merely “a clever political message” has been met with significant skepticism from Trump supporters.
FBI Probes James Comey Over Cryptic Post That Appears to Target President Trump
The FBI is reviewing a now-deleted Instagram post by former FBI Director James Comey that many believe contained a veiled threat against President Donald Trump.
The post, shared earlier this week,… pic.twitter.com/zKX4tpSCtV
— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) May 16, 2025
Comey’s defense included a detailed story about his beach discovery: “My wife and I were walking on the beach, and saw those numbers in shells on the beach. Somebody else did it!”
The timing of Comey’s post has raised serious concerns among conservatives, coming after Trump survived two assassination attempts during his 2024 campaign. Trump campaign spokesman Taylor Budowich emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating: “This is deeply concerning to all of us and is being taken seriously.”
Growing Calls for Accountability from Trump Allies
Several Republican officials have called for serious consequences, with some demanding the FBI raid Comey’s home similar to the Mar-a-Lago search. The controversy has reignited tensions between Trump supporters and Comey, who was fired by Trump in 2017 after the FBI opened an investigation into alleged Russian contacts with Trump’s 2016 campaign.
“She said, ‘You should take a picture.’ I said, ‘Sure.’ She said, ‘You should Instagram that.’ And then, boom.”
Comey’s troubled history with President Trump includes his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation and subsequent public criticism of Trump. The former FBI Director’s claim of innocence stands in stark contrast to his sophisticated understanding of threats and law enforcement, leaving many conservatives questioning how someone with his background could be unaware of the implications of “86” about a president who has already faced assassination attempts.
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