James Comey Investigated for Instagram Post "86 47"

The Trump administration has reacted strongly to an Instagram post by ex-FBI Director James Comey, which they accuse of inciting harm against President Trump—a charge Comey has denied.

Comey, a known adversary of Trump, shared a photo of seashells arranged in the sand to display the numbers "86 47." This was shared on Instagram before being removed.

The exact intention behind these numbers was unclear, but Trump's officials and supporters inferred it referenced President Trump as the 47th president, combined with the phrase "eighty-six," which commonly means to "expel" or "eliminate."

Responses and Investigations

After a backlash, Comey deleted the post and clarified that his earlier Instagram image—featuring shells he noticed during a beach walk—was misinterpreted politically. He acknowledged being unaware that the numbers might be seen as provoking violence and asserted his complete opposition to violence, leading to the post's removal.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the post is under review, suggesting it comprised a threat against Trump's life and assuring that both her agency and the Secret Service are diligently probing the issue.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated they are in contact with the Secret Service and will support their investigation, stressing that the primary probe responsibility rests with the Secret Service.

From the Secret Service's perspective, they treat all potential threats to their protectees with utmost seriousness. They recognized the social media activities of the former FBI Director as sensitive but refrained from further commentary.

Significance of "86 47"

The term "eighty-six" often equals "to oust" or "to get rid of," originating from 1930s soda shop lingo where it signified an item was out of stock. It can also mean expelling an inebriated individual from a bar, according to Merriam-Webster.

The long-standing hostility between Comey and Trump is well-documented. Serving as FBI head from 2013, Comey was dismissed by Trump in 2017, propelling inquiries into possible electoral interference by Russia during the 2016 presidential race and potential collaboration with Trump’s campaign—allegations Trump categorically labels as falsehoods.