Investigation Into James Comey’s Controversial Social Media Post
On Thursday, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that a federal investigation is underway regarding a social media post by former FBI Director James Comey. The post has drawn sharp criticism from Republican leaders who interpret it as inciting violence against President Donald Trump.
Content of the Post
In an Instagram post, Comey shared an image of seashells that, according to several observers, resembled the phrase “86 47.” This numerical reference has raised alarms among Trump supporters, linking it to a perceived threat to the president, who is referred to as the 47th president of the United States.
Reactions from Officials
Numerous officials, including Secretary Noem, have vocally expressed their concerns. Noem stated, “DHS and Secret Service is investigating this threat and will respond appropriately.” The term “86” has been defined by Merriam-Webster as slang indicating to “throw out” or “kill,” although it avoids making explicit connections to violence due to its recent and sparse usage.
Comey’s Response
After the uproar, Comey deleted the post and addressed the controversy by stating, “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 realize some folks associate those numbers with violence.” He further emphasized his stance against violence, saying, “It never occurred to me, but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.”
Political Impact and Timing
The situation has intensified given the current circumstances regarding Trump’s travel in the Middle East. James Blair, Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House, categorized the post as “a Clarion Call from Jim Comey to terrorists & hostile regimes to kill the President of the United States.”
Background on James Comey
James Comey served as the FBI director from 2013 until his firing in 2017 amidst the investigation into alleged ties between Trump’s campaign and Russian officials. Following his departure from government service, Comey transitioned to writing, publishing the memoir “A Higher Loyalty” and his latest thriller, “FDR Drive,” which is scheduled for release soon.