Former FBI Director James Comey Faces Investigation and Backlash Over Controversial Social Media Post
Washington, D.C. — Former FBI Director James Comey is under federal investigation and facing a wave of criticism after posting, then deleting, a photo on Instagram that many interpreted as a veiled threat against President Donald Trump. The image, which showed seashells arranged to spell out the numbers "86 47" on a beach, quickly ignited a political firestorm and prompted an official inquiry by the U.S. Secret Service.
The Controversial Post
Comey’s now-deleted Instagram post featured the caption, "Cool formation on beach walk," alongside the seashell arrangement. The numbers "86" and "47" have specific connotations: "86" is slang for "eliminate" or "discard," while "47" references Trump as the 47th president of the United States. Critics, including members of Trump’s cabinet and prominent conservative commentators, claimed the post was tantamount to a call for the president’s assassination. Trump himself said in a Fox News interview, “That meant assassination, and it says it loud and clear,” calling the post “a terrible thing” and labeling Comey a “dirty cop”.
Federal Investigation and Political Reaction
The Secret Service questioned Comey at their Washington, D.C. field office on Friday, with Comey reportedly cooperating fully with the investigation. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, confirmed that her department was looking into the matter, while Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard called for Comey to be imprisoned over the post.
The incident has sparked a fierce debate over the boundaries of political speech and the responsibilities of public figures. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich stated on social media that Comey’s message “can clearly be interpreted as ‘a hit’ on the sitting President of the United States,” emphasizing that the administration is taking the matter seriously.
Comey’s Response
Comey defended himself, insisting he was unaware of the violent implications associated with the numbers. In interviews and a follow-up Instagram post, he explained that he encountered the shells during a walk with his wife and thought the formation was a clever coincidence. “I didn’t realize some people associate those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me, but I oppose violence of any kind, so I took the post down,” Comey wrote. He further described himself as a victim of a “political firestorm,” dismissing the outrage as a distraction.
Broader Impact and Ongoing Debate
The controversy has reignited discussions about the tone of political discourse in the U.S. and the accountability of public figures for their statements online. Some critics have accused Comey of orchestrating a publicity stunt to promote his upcoming book, while others argue that the reaction is an overreach and a misinterpretation of his intent.
Legal experts note that prosecuting Comey for the post would be challenging, as the phrase “86 47” is ambiguous and open to interpretation. Nonetheless, the episode underscores the heightened sensitivity surrounding political rhetoric in the current climate.
As the investigation continues, both supporters and detractors of Comey are watching closely, with the incident serving as a flashpoint in the ongoing polarization of American politics.