Feb 14, 2024
COMEY QUESTIONED – “86 47” Post SPARKS FEDERAL PROBE!
Former FBI Director James Comey was escorted to Washington, D.C. by federal agents for questioning after posting cryptic “86 47” message that triggered a multi-agency investigation into a potential threat against former President Donald Trump.
At a Glance
- Comey’s Instagram post showing seashells arranged to display “86 47” sparked outrage, with many interpreting it as a threat to “get rid of” the 47th president
- The Secret Service, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security launched an investigation, with Comey reportedly being escorted to Washington for questioning
- Comey deleted the post amid backlash, later claiming on MSNBC it was merely “a clever way to express a political viewpoint”
- Trump and multiple government officials condemned the post, with some calling for Comey’s arrest
- The incident occurs in the context of Trump having already faced two assassination attempts during his 2024 presidential campaign
Investigation Sparked by Controversial Post
Federal agencies launched an immediate investigation after James Comey, the former FBI Director fired by Donald Trump in 2017, shared an Instagram post featuring seashells arranged to form “86 47.” The cryptic message quickly drew attention as “86” is slang for “to get rid of” and “47” is widely understood to reference Trump as the 47th president. The post appeared especially concerning given Trump has already survived two assassination attempts during his 2024 campaign.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was among the first officials to condemn the post, writing: “Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of @POTUS Trump.” The Secret Service confirmed they were investigating, with spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi stating, “We are aware of the social media posts by the former FBI director and we take rhetoric like this very seriously. Beyond that, we do not comment on protective intelligence matters.”
Comey’s Defense and Explanation
After deleting the controversial post amid growing backlash, Comey appeared on MSNBC to explain his actions. During the interview, which critics later characterized as overly lenient, Comey claimed the post was simply a photo taken “walking on the beach with my wife” and was intended as political commentary. He insisted he had no violent intentions and was unaware of how his message might be interpreted.
“Yeah, for walking on the beach with my wife,” Comey said, defending the post as “a clever way to express a political viewpoint, and I still think it is.”
Trump campaign spokesman Taylor Budowich expressed serious concern about the incident, stating: “This is deeply concerning to all of us and is being taken seriously.” The statement underscored the heightened sensitivity around threats against Trump, who survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, and another potential attempt at his Florida golf course during his 2024 presidential campaign.
Political Fallout and Trump’s Response
Donald Trump did not remain silent about the incident, publicly criticizing Comey and suggesting the meaning behind the post was obvious. Several Republican officials, including Rep. Tim Burchett and Trump campaign co-chairman Chris LaCivita, went further, calling for Comey’s arrest or a raid on his home. FBI Director Kash Patel offered the bureau’s full support to the Secret Service for their investigation.
“This is deeply concerning to all of us and is being taken seriously,” said Taylor Budowich, a spokesman for the Trump campaign.
The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between Comey and Trump, which began during the 2016 election when Comey led the FBI’s investigation into Russian contacts with Trump’s campaign. Trump later fired Comey in 2017, citing his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation. Comey has since become a vocal critic of Trump and has transitioned to writing fiction, currently promoting his new novel as this controversy unfolds.
