Former FBI Director James Comey is under federal investigation after posting a photo on Instagram that critics claim contains a veiled threat against President Donald Trump. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed Thursday that both DHS and the Secret Service are investigating the post, while Comey has denied any malicious intent.
What James Comey Posted—and Why It’s Causing an Uproar
On Thursday, Comey posted an image of seashells spelling out “8647” on a beach, with the caption:
“Cool shell formation on my beach walk…”
Though seemingly innocuous to some, critics quickly seized on the numbers’ potential double meaning: in slang, “86” can mean to eliminate or discard, while “47” refers to Donald Trump, the 47th President of the United States.
Kristi Noem, who heads the Department of Homeland Security, said the post is being taken seriously.
“Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of @POTUS Trump,” she posted on X. “DHS and Secret Service is investigating this threat and will respond appropriately.”
Comey later deleted the image and responded with a follow-up post:
“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.”
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What Does 86 47 Mean?
According to Merriam-Webster, “86” is slang for discarding or eliminating something—originally soda shop lingo that evolved to mean ejecting an unwanted person. Combined with “47,” Trump’s presidential number, the phrase has been interpreted as a call to remove him—possibly violently.
Comey, for his part, claims he assumed the number arrangement was a political message made by someone else on the beach and posted it without realizing the implication.
Political Fallout and Online Reaction
Trump allies were quick to amplify the incident. White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich labeled the post “deeply concerning” and likened it to putting a “hit” on the president. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) went so far as to call for Comey’s arrest.
James Comey, once the head of the FBI and a frequent Trump target, is no stranger to political firestorms. His firing by Trump in 2017 was a pivotal moment in the Mueller investigation. Now, with Trump once again at the center of U.S. politics—and having survived two assassination attempts in the last year—this incident is being handled with heightened scrutiny.
The Secret Service confirmed that it is “vigorously investigating anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees.” Fox News reported that agents will interview Comey as part of the process.
We vigorously investigate anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees. We are aware of the social media posts by the former FBI Director & we take rhetoric like this very seriously. Beyond that, we do not comment on protective intelligence matters. pic.twitter.com/uhYSB7GYvt
— Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) May 16, 2025
The Bigger Picture
Regardless of intent, the episode reflects a growing trend in American politics where coded language, perceived threats, and social media posts can quickly escalate into national security concerns. With Trump’s administration known for leveraging such moments into political theater—and Comey already branded a villain by MAGA loyalists—the investigation may further polarize an already tense political landscape.
Whether it leads to formal charges or fades as another flashpoint in a never-ending news cycle, the incident underscores a grim truth: in 2025, even a beach photo can be a federal case.
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