Former FBI Director James Comey’s beach stroll turned into a federal grilling after a peculiar Instagram post. On Thursday, he shared a photo of shells arranged as "86 47," sparking outrage and a swift Secret Service investigation. Actions, it seems, have consequences.
According to the Daily Caller, Comey’s post, captioned as a “cool shell formation,” ignited a firestorm online. Critics, including Trump’s senior advisor Dan Scavino Jr. and Donald Trump Jr., blasted it on X, alleging it threatened President Donald Trump. The number "86," per Merriam-Webster, means to “get rid of,” while Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang ties it to murder.
By Thursday afternoon, Comey deleted the post, claiming ignorance of the numbers’ violent connotations. His excuse? He saw the shells as a “political message,” not a call to harm.
The Secret Service wasn’t buying Comey’s beachcomber innocence. Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi confirmed the agency’s awareness, stressing they take such rhetoric seriously. No further comments were offered as the investigation gained steam.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem didn’t mince words. On X, she accused Comey of calling for the “assassination” of the 47th president. Her department, alongside the Secret Service, launched a formal probe.
Online backlash grew fiercer, with conservatives decrying Comey’s post as reckless. Trump Jr. and Scavino’s X posts fueled the narrative of a veiled threat. Social media, as usual, amplified the chaos.
By Friday, Comey was reportedly spotted leaving the Secret Service’s Washington, D.C., field office. The New York Post noted his exit, suggesting a lengthy interview. Federal agents wanted answers.
Comey’s defense leaned on naiveté. “I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence,” he said after scrubbing the post. Yet, skeptics argue a former FBI chief should know better.
President Trump himself weighed in, unimpressed by Comey’s backpedaling. In a Fox News interview with Bret Baier, he declared, “He knew exactly what that meant.” Trump suggested even a child could decode the post’s intent.
The controversy hinges on “86 47” and its implications. While “86” carries a sinister slang meaning, “47” points to Trump as the 47th president. Together, they form a chilling suggestion, intentional or not.
Comey’s claim of ignorance strains credulity for some. A man who once led the FBI should grasp the weight of cryptic symbols in a polarized climate. Carelessness isn’t a great look either.
Guglielmi’s statement underscored the Secret Service’s vigilance. “We vigorously investigate anything that can be taken as a potential threat,” he said. The agency’s silence since then reflects the probe’s ongoing nature.
Comey’s swift deletion of the post shows he sensed the misstep. Yet, erasing evidence doesn’t erase accountability. The internet, as always, remembers. Conservatives see this as another example of elite arrogance. Comey’s defenders, though, might argue it’s a misunderstanding blown out of proportion. Both sides agree: Words and symbols matter.
The investigation’s outcome remains unclear, but one thing is certain. In today’s charged climate, even seashells can spark a federal inquiry. Perhaps Comey will stick to sunsets for his next Instagram post.
