BREAKING: James Comey Under Secret Service Scrutiny Over Cryptic ‘86 47’ Instagram Post Allegedly Targeting Trump
Washington, D.C. – May 15, 2025 — Former FBI Director James Comey is facing mounting controversy and a possible federal investigation after posting — and then deleting — an image on Instagram showing seashells arranged in a numerical pattern reading “86 47.” The seemingly innocent beach photo is now at the center of a growing political firestorm, with critics accusing Comey of subtly promoting violence against the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.
The term “86” is widely understood in American slang to mean “get rid of” or “eliminate,” while “47” is an apparent reference to Trump, who is currently serving his non-consecutive second term in office. The message, many argue, is not subtle.
“Oh Hell NO!” – Trump Allies Demand Arrest
The backlash was swift and severe. Trump supporters and conservative commentators flooded social media with outrage. Donald Trump Jr. was among the first to sound the alarm, tweeting a screenshot of Comey’s post and writing:
“Just James Comey casually calling for my dad to be murdered.”
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich issued a statement calling the post “deeply concerning and potentially criminal.” Former South Dakota Governor and current Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the U.S. Secret Service has launched a formal inquiry into the matter.
“The post has been referred to the Secret Service, as is standard for any perceived threats against the President,” Noem told The Times. “We take these incidents very seriously.”
Comey Responds: “No Harm Intended”
Comey, who led the FBI from 2013 to 2017 before being dismissed by Trump during the Russia investigation, removed the post after the controversy erupted. In a brief public statement, he denied any malicious intent.
“I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence,” Comey said. “It never occurred to me. I oppose violence of any kind, so I took the post down immediately.”
He added that the photo was simply taken during a walk on the beach and that the shells caught his eye due to their natural pattern.
Despite this explanation, critics remain skeptical, pointing to Comey’s contentious history with Trump and his known opposition to the former president’s leadership.
Legal Experts Weigh In
Legal analysts are divided on whether Comey’s post could be construed as a credible threat under federal law. While the First Amendment protects speech, including symbolic expression, it does not shield direct threats or incitement to violencees.
