A social media post from a walk on the beach Friday put Former FBI Director James Comey under the scanner after US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and several other Republicans claimed it “suggests” violence against President Donald Trump. The matter is currently being investigated by US law enforcement officials.
In a now deleted Instagram post, Comey shared a picture of seashells that appeared to form the numbers “86 47,” with the caption: “Cool shell formation on my beach walk”.
The former FBI Director, who held the post from 2013 to 2017, was fired by Trump during his first term amid the bureau’s investigation into alleged ties between Russian officials and the President’s 2016 campaign.
The post quickly sparked controversy, with several Trump administration officials, including Noem claiming Comey was advocating for the assassination of Trump. “DHS and Secret Service are investigating this threat and will respond appropriately,” Noem wrote on X.
Comey’s original post sparked outrage after the President’s son Donald Trump Jr. also weighed in. Sharing the image on X, he wrote: “Just James Comey casually calling for my dad to be murdered.”
Just James Comey causally calling for my dad to be murdered.
This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!! pic.twitter.com/4LUK6crHAT
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 15, 2025
White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair, also commented on the post, calling the timing of the post especially alarming given that Trump is currently travelling in 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. Any Democrat or Media Outlet who fails to condemn this clear Incitement of Violence is complicit and must be described as such,” he wrote on X.
Current FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed awareness of the post and stated that the agency is working with the Secret Service. “We are aware of the recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, directed at President Trump. We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director Curran. Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support,” he said.
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What does ‘86 47’ mean?
According to Merriam-Webster, the dictionary used by news agency AP, 86 is slang meaning “to throw out,” “to get rid of,” or “to refuse service to.” One of its more recent interpretations extends to “to kill.”
’47’ means the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump.
‘Never occurred to me’: Comey
Releasing a clarification, Comey said: “I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message. I didn’t realise some folks associate those numbers with violence.
“It never occurred to me,” Comey added, “but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.”
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Comey is now a crime fiction writer and is currently promoting his latest book, FDR Drive, which is set to be released on Tuesday.
(With inputs from AP)
