Former U.S. President Donald Trump has lashed out at former FBI Director James Comey, claiming a now-deleted Instagram post by Comey subtly called for Trump’s assassination. The post showed the number “8647” spelled out in seashells, a seemingly innocent image that has now ignited political uproar.
During an interview aired Friday on Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier, Trump dismissed Comey’s explanation and condemned the post as deliberate and dangerous:
“He knew exactly what that meant. A child knows what that meant. If you’re the FBI director and you don’t know what that meant, that meant assassination,” Trump said, as reported by ABC News.
Controversial Image Raises Alarm
Comey’s original caption read: “Cool shell formation on my beach walk,” but the number “8647” drew instant scrutiny.
- “86” is widely understood slang for getting rid of or ejecting someone, often used in service industry jargon.
- “47” is commonly associated with Trump, who is aiming to become the 47th President of the United States in the 2024 election.
This combination of numbers has been interpreted by some as a veiled threat.
Law Enforcement, Officials Respond
In response, FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau is collaborating with the U.S. Secret Service, which holds primary jurisdiction in matters involving threats to the president.
“We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director [Kimberly] Cheatle. The FBI will provide all necessary support,” Patel posted on X.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem also weighed in, sharply criticizing Comey for what she described as inciting violence.
“Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of @POTUS Trump,” Noem wrote, adding that DHS and Secret Service are investigating the matter seriously.
Donald Trump Jr. echoed the concerns:
“Just James Comey casually calling for my dad to be murdered. This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented,” he posted on X.
Comey’s Defense: “I Didn’t Know”
Facing mounting backlash, Comey deleted the post and issued a statement via Instagram:
“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, but I oppose violence of any kind, so I took the post down.”
Despite the apology, Trump and his allies remain unconvinced, citing Comey’s background in law enforcement and intelligence as proof that he should have been aware of the symbolism.
Background: A Fraught History
Comey, who was appointed FBI Director in 2013 and fired by Trump in 2017, played a central role in the Russia probe and the Clinton email investigation. Both matters stirred bipartisan criticism but led to no criminal charges.
The latest controversy adds another chapter to the long and bitter feud between Trump and Comey—this time involving potential legal implications and questions about political violence.