Former FBI Director James Comey is facing backlash from Republican officials and federal agencies after posting an image of seashells spelling out "86 47" on Instagram, a combination that critics allege is a veiled threat to President Donald Trump. The post, uploaded Thursday and deleted hours later, triggered a federal investigation and reignited partisan tensions surrounding Comey's past clashes with Trump.
"Just James Comey causally calling for my dad to be murdered. This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!!" Donald Trump Jr. wrote on social media following the post.
Comey, who served as FBI director from 2013 to 2017 before being fired by Trump during the first administration, said he was unaware of the violent interpretation of the numbers. "I didn't realize some folks associate those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down," he wrote on Instagram.
The numbers "86 47" have drawn controversy for their symbolic implications-"86" being slang for "get rid of," and "47" referencing Trump's current term as the 47th president. Though originally a restaurant term for refusing service, "86" has, in some circles, evolved into a coded expression for violence, according to Merriam-Webster.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated Thursday that her department and the Secret Service are investigating the incident. "Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of @POTUSTrump," Noem wrote on social media. "DHS and Secret Service is investigating this threat and will respond appropriately."
A spokesperson for the Secret Service said in a statement, "The Secret Service vigorously investigates anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees." CNN and NPR both confirmed the agency is aware of the post.
FBI Director Kash Patel wrote, "We are aware of the recent tweet by former FBI Director James Comey, directed at President Trump. We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director (Sean) Curran. Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support."
Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, now Director of National Intelligence, told Fox News, "I'm very concerned for his life. And James Comey in my view should be held accountable and put behind bars for this."
President Trump responded to the controversy Friday in a Fox News interview, saying, "A child knows what that meant. If you're the FBI director and you don't know ... that meant 'assassination.' And it says it loud and clear. He wasn't very competent, but he was competent enough to know what that meant."
The incident follows two recent assassination attempts targeting Trump. In July, the president was wounded during a rally in Pennsylvania. In September, a man was charged after allegedly pointing a rifle at Trump's security team while he golfed in Florida.
Sen. Mike Lee (R., Utah) condemned the Comey post in a 14-part thread on X, calling it "deeply irresponsible." Lee wrote that it "hits too close to home - and occurs too soon after two serious, nearly successful assassination attempts ... to be dismissed as a joke or harmless hyperbole."
Variations of "86" slogans have surfaced in political discourse before. In 2018, restaurant staff wrote "86 Sarah Huckabee Sanders" after removing her from their establishment. In 2020, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appeared on a video call with an "8645" pin visible in the background, which was interpreted by some as an anti-Trump message.
The phrase "8647" has gained traction recently on social media platforms like TikTok and in protest signage. According to Distractify, the phrase is used as "a code" by people who oppose Trump's return to the White House.
Merchandise bearing slogans like "8647" and "8646" are still available on platforms such as Amazon and Etsy. NPR reported that neither platform has commented on whether such items violate their content guidelines.
