James Comey Under Scrutiny After Controversial Social Media Post
Former FBI Director James Comey is facing intense scrutiny after a recent social media post sparked backlash and questions about its intent. The post, which showed seashells arranged in the numbers “86 47,” was quickly interpreted by some as a coded message referencing harm toward former President Donald Trump, the 47th president of the United States.
Comey shared the photo on Instagram with the caption, “Cool shell formation on my beach walk,” but soon deleted it, replacing it with an explanation. He claimed he had come across the shells arranged in what he believed was a political message and posted it without realizing the potentially dangerous connotation some associate with the numbers. The number “86” has historically been slang for “eliminate,” while “47” was interpreted to refer to Trump.
“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,” Comey later explained.
Despite the clarification, the post drew serious attention from federal authorities. The Secret Service reportedly questioned Comey for over an hour regarding the meaning and intent behind the post. It remains unclear whether any formal charges will be pursued.
The final decision on whether to press charges may rest with Attorney General Pam Bondi. If charges are filed, the newly appointed interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, former judge and Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, would likely oversee the prosecution.
Former President Trump responded to the incident, stating in a Fox News interview, “He knew exactly what that meant… If you’re the FBI director and you don’t know what that meant, that meant ‘assassination,’ and it says it loud and clear.”
Others have echoed concerns over the post’s implications. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said in a television interview that she found it implausible that Comey, with his extensive background in law enforcement, would not be aware of the coded meaning behind the numbers. She linked the phrase to recent political protests and expressed concern over its normalization.
The FBI and Secret Service have both confirmed communication regarding the matter, but no official decisions have been announced.
Comey, who was dismissed as FBI Director in 2017, remains a polarizing figure in American politics. Whether this situation leads to legal action or remains a public controversy, it has once again placed him in the national spotlight.