Former FBI Director James Comey is under investigation by the U.S. Secret Service after sharing a now-deleted Instagram post that Republicans claim was a veiled threat against President Donald Trump. The post showed seashells arranged to spell “8647”—a combination some interpreted as coded language. “86” can mean “to eliminate” and Trump is the 47th U.S. president, prompting accusations that the post signaled support for his assassination.
Comey has denied any malicious intent, stating he was unaware of the interpretation and promptly removed the post. “I oppose violence of any kind,” he wrote in a follow-up. Despite his clarification, prominent figures including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Trump’s allies have condemned the post, calling it dangerous rhetoric. The FBI and Secret Service have confirmed they are coordinating to assess any potential threat, as Trump continues an international tour.
