Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Thursday that federal law enforcement officials are investigating a social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, who is accused of inciting the assassination of President Trump.
Comey posted a photo on his Instagram profile depicting sea shells arranged to form the number “8647.” In the language of the web, 86 is a slang term that has the meaning of “throw away,” “get rid of,” and in some cases “kill.” “8647” is a slogan long used by opponents of Trump, the 47th president in U.S. history. The post, which was later deleted, sparked outrage among conservatives on social media, with Trump’s son Donald Jr. himself accusing the former FBI director of calling for the killing of his father. “This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!!” the latter said.
The bureau’s current leader, Kash Patel, said he is aware of the matter and is talking to the Secret Service and their director. “DHS and the Secret Service are investigating this threat and will respond appropriately,” Noem said instead.
In reply, Comey stated, “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.”
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also spoke on the case, saying the former bureau chief should be jailed for his actions, and said she did not believe that Comey, as a former FBI director, was unaware of how his “8647” could be interpreted.
James Blair, White House deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs, pointed out that the incident in question comes at a rather sensitive time, as President Trump is currently on a visit to the Middle East.
“This is a Clarion Call from Jim Comey to terrorists & hostile regimes to kill the President of the United States as he travels in the Middle East,” Blair wrote on X.
Donald Trump and James Comey had a tumultuous relationship, marked by political tension and controversy. Comey, as FBI Director, led investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election and Hillary Clinton’s email use, which put him in Trump’s crosshairs. Their interactions included private meetings where Trump allegedly sought blind loyalty from Comey that the FBI head was not prepared to grant. In May 2017, Trump fired Comey, a move that later became central to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into obstruction of justice.
In the past, Trump claimed that Comey had “lost the confidence of almost everyone in Washington, Republican and Democrat alike”, and that people would eventually “thank him” for firing Comey, a claim that many found to be highly inaccurate.
Since his dismissal, Comey has been a vocal critic of Trump, publishing books and making public statements against him. Their strained relationship continues to be a point of political debate that has erupted into the current controversy and possible legal consequences for Comey.
