Former FBI Director’s Post Triggers Firestorm Over Possible Assassination Allusion
Former FBI Director James Comey is under intense scrutiny after a cryptic Instagram post made Thursday appears to hint at a potential threat against President Donald J. Trump — or at minimum, a deeply disturbing political statement.
In a photo captioned “Cool shell formation on my beach walk,” Comey posted the numbers “86 47” arranged with seashells in the sand. While seemingly innocuous at first glance, the numbers immediately triggered alarm among political observers and social media users alike.
Decoding the Message: What Does “86 47” Mean?
The meaning behind “86 47” has not been explained by Comey, but many believe the symbolism is all too clear:
-
“86” is a widely recognized slang term meaning to eliminate, cancel, or kill
-
“47” is presumed to refer to Donald Trump, who, if reelected, would become the 47th President of the United States
Put together, the interpretation — “Kill 47” — was seen by many as a thinly veiled call for political violence, or worse, a coded reference to assassination.
Context: Comey’s Longstanding Feud with Trump
Comey and Trump have a long and well-documented personal and political feud. Trump fired Comey in May 2017 during the height of an FBI investigation into supposed Russian interference and potential obstruction of justice — allegations later debunked by numerous reports.
After his firing, Comey leaked confidential memos from private conversations with Trump to the press through an intermediary, Daniel Richman, in order to trigger the appointment of a special counsel. Within 24 hours, Robert Mueller was appointed.
Comey also repeatedly used his platform to publicly attack Trump, calling him “morally unfit to be president” and making televised statements that suggested Trump was guilty of crimes — while simultaneously being a key witness in the Mueller investigation.
Public Backlash and Calls for Investigation
Social media exploded within hours of the post, with terms like “Arrest Comey,” “#8647,” and “Secret Service” trending on X (formerly Twitter). Conservative commentators, journalists, and legal experts began calling for:
-
A federal investigation into whether the post constitutes a credible threat
-
Immediate action by the Secret Service
-
Testimony before Congress to determine Comey’s intent
“This isn’t just in poor taste. Coming from a former FBI director, it’s potentially criminal,” wrote one legal analyst. “If a private citizen posted this with Trump’s name, they’d already be in handcuffs.”
Silence from the Left and Media Outlets
Despite the firestorm, mainstream media outlets have largely ignored the post, and Comey has refused to clarify or delete the message as of publication. No comment has been issued by the Biden White House or Department of Justice.
Final Word: Dangerous Double Standards
Whether intentional or not, Comey’s “86 47” post crosses a line — especially coming from a former high-ranking law enforcement official who once led the nation’s most powerful investigative agency. The implications are chilling.
If the political roles were reversed, and a conservative figure posted such a message aimed at a Democrat president, the outrage would be immediate and the legal consequences severe.
There must be one standard for threats of political violence — and that standard must apply to everyone, including James Comey.
