The Secret Service has launched an investigation into former FBI director James Comey, accused of making a veiled threat against President Donald Trump. The controversy erupted after Comey posted an image of seashells on Instagram that formed the number “8647,” which some interpreted as a call for violence against the President. The post, which has since been deleted, was accompanied by the caption “cool shell formation on my beach walk.”
Trump administration officials and Republican politicians quickly seized on the image, citing the slang definition of “86” as “to throw out,” “to get rid of,” or “to kill.” According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “86” can also be used as a verb to mean “to throw out” or “to get rid of” someone or something. Additionally, Newsweek reported that “86” is a mafia term that refers to taking someone “eight miles out of town” and putting them “six feet under.” Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was among those who condemned the post, writing on social media that Comey had “called for the assassination of Trump” and announcing that the Department of Homeland Security and Secret Service were investigating the threat.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the bureau would provide support to the Secret Service in investigating the matter, which he believed was “directed at President Trump.” Taylor Budowich, White House deputy chief of staff, argued that Comey’s post could be seen as “a hit” on the President, while Donald Trump Jr. claimed that Comey was “casually calling for my dad to be murdered.” Comey has denied any intention to promote violence, stating that he had not realized the numbers could be associated with violence and that he opposes violence of any kind.
The investigation comes as President Trump has faced two assassination attempts during his 2024 reelection campaign. In July, a gunman opened fire at a rally in Pennsylvania, grazing the President’s ear and killing a spectator. In September, a would-be assassin was discovered camping outside Trump’s golf course in Florida. The President had previously fired Comey during his first term in office, accusing him of spreading lies as part of a “witch hunt.” Comey has been a vocal critic of Trump, and their complicated history has been well-documented.
As the investigation into Comey’s post continues, the incident has sparked a heated debate about the limits of free speech and the role of social media in politics. With the Secret Service and FBI involved, the situation is being closely watched by officials and the public alike. The outcome of the investigation remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the already tense relationship between Trump and Comey has just become even more complicated.
