Comey Under Fire for “86 47” Post as Ed Martin Predicts Imminent Legal Fallout
Ed Martin, Associate Deputy Attorney General, dropped a bombshell during a Friday appearance on The Benny Johnson Show, declaring that former FBI Director James Comey is heading for prison following a cryptic and potentially threatening post on social media.
“He knew… He’s got a problem. Perjury traps are next. Going to jail on one or the other,” Martin said, referencing both Comey’s legal exposure and the suspicious nature of his now-deleted Instagram post.
The Post: “86 47” and the Immediate Backlash
On Thursday, Comey uploaded an image of seashells arranged on a beach to spell out: “86 47” — a phrase widely interpreted as a coded threat against President Donald J. Trump, the 47th President of the United States.
-
“86” is common slang for “eliminate” or “kill”
-
“47” clearly references Trump’s current presidential term
Comey captioned the photo:
“Cool shell formation on my beach walk.”
Critics were swift and vocal, calling the post thinly veiled incitement. Facing massive public pressure, Comey deleted the post and issued a follow-up message denying involvement, claiming he simply came across the arrangement during his walk.
Ed Martin Calls Out the Lie
Martin was unequivocal:
“That explanation doesn’t hold water. He knew what it meant, and he tried to backpedal because he realized the legal storm he just walked into.”
He went on to suggest that Comey will be hit with perjury or obstruction charges, citing the former FBI Director’s controversial testimony before Congress, and his alleged coordination with anti-Trump intelligence operatives during the early days of the Russia hoax.
Legal Experts Weigh In
Some legal analysts now say that Comey may face investigations for:
-
Incitement or threats against a sitting president
-
Obstruction of justice
-
Perjury stemming from prior sworn testimony
Even if criminal charges don’t materialize immediately, the post has reignited scrutiny over Comey’s past conduct and cast new doubts over his claim to neutrality.
Final Word: A Tipping Point?
This is not the first time Comey has drawn attention for partisan jabs, but many are calling this incident a line crossed.
With Ed Martin’s high-level remarks suggesting DOJ pressure may now be coming down on Comey, the fallout could move quickly—from Instagram post to courtroom.