The U.S. Secret Service has launched an investigation after former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey shared a picture Thursday on Instagram that appeared to place a “hit” on President Donald Trump.
According to Fox News, the former FBI director’s Instagram photo featured seashells that were arranged to make the numbers “86 47.” In a caption to the post, Comey wrote, “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.”
Fox News reported that the number “86” is often used as a signal to get rid of a person or as a call for someone to be murdered and that the number “47” is often used as a reference to Trump as the 47th president.
Sharing a screenshot of Comey’s post on social media, Donald Trump Jr. wrote, “Just James Comey causally calling for my dad to be murdered. This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!!”
In a Thursday evening post on X, formerly Twitter, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the FBI was communicating with the Secret Service regarding Comey’s controversial social media post regarding the 47th president.
“We are aware of the recent tweet by former FBI Director James Comey, directed at President Trump,” Patel tweeted. “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.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem also released a statement, saying, “Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey called for the assassination of [President] Trump. DHS and Secret Service is investigating this threat and will respond appropriately.”
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White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich warned in a statement on Thursday that Comey’s post is “deeply concerning” to the administration and is “being taken seriously.”
“While President Trump is currently on an international trip to the Middle East, the former FBI Director puts out what can clearly be interpreted as ‘a hit’ on the sitting President of the United States—a message etched in the sand,” Budowich wrote.
After facing widespread backlash for his “86 47” seashell image on social media, Comey removed the picture from Instagram and issued an apology.
“I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message,” the former FBI director stated. “I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence, it never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.”
