 "Why did a ‘8647’ post link ex-FBI chief with assassination threat to Trump?")
A cryptic Instagram post by former FBI Director James Comey has ignited a political and law enforcement firestorm, with accusations from Republican officials and supporters of Donald Trump that the post implied a call for the assassination of the 47th president of the United States.
The controversy began when Comey posted an image on Instagram showing the numbers “8647” arranged in seashells along a beach.
He captioned it: “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.” Though Comey later deleted the post, it rapidly circulated online and prompted a torrent of backlash from Trump allies and statements from federal agencies.
While Comey insisted he had not intended any threat, several top officials, including from Homeland Security and the FBI, have acknowledged investigations or reviews in light of the perceived implications of the post.
Understanding the meaning of “8647”
The numbers in Comey’s post — “8647” — were interpreted by some Trump supporters as coded language. In American slang, “86” can mean to eject, discard or remove someone. This usage is often applied in bars or restaurants to denote a refusal of service or removal due to disorderly conduct.
However, the term has also been historically linked — though infrequently — to more sinister meanings.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “Among the most recent senses adopted is a logical extension of the previous ones, with the meaning of ’to kill.’ We do not enter this sense, due to its relative recency and sparseness of use.” In organised crime parlance, “86” has been said to mean taking someone “eight miles out and six feet under.”
The number 47, in political commentary, is frequently used to refer to Donald Trump, the 47th President of the United States, who began his second term in 2025. Combined, the message was interpreted by some to mean “remove” or “eliminate” Trump.
This interpretation was fiercely rejected by Comey, who said he had not anticipated the numbers would be seen as violent.
In a follow-up statement, Comey wrote: “I didn’t realise 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.”
One theory ties the phrase to Chumley’s, a historic bar at 86 Bedford Street in New York’s West Village, reported USA Today.
According to urban legend, during Prohibition, bartenders were warned by police to discreetly remove unruly patrons out the 86 Bedford entrance to avoid arrests. Comey previously served as the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, not far from Chumley’s.
How law enforcement has reacted
The reaction from the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers was swift and forceful. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “DHS and Secret Service is investigating this threat and will respond appropriately.”
Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of @POTUS Trump.
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) May 15, 2025
DHS and Secret Service is investigating this threat and will respond appropriately.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that his agency was coordinating with the Secret Service regarding the post and would “provide all necessary support.”
We are aware of the recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, directed at President Trump. We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director Curran. Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) May 15, 2025
Anthony Guglielmi, spokesperson for the Secret Service, also issued a statement: “The Secret Service vigorously investigates 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 and we take rhetoric like this very seriously. Beyond that, we do not comment on protective intelligence matters.”
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
— U.S. Secret Service Office of Communications (@SecretSvcSpox) May 16, 2025
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, in an interview on Fox News, strongly condemned the post and called for legal consequences: “I’m very concerned for the president’s life. We’ve already seen assassination attempts. I’m very concerned for his life. And James Comey, in my view, should be held accountable and put behind bars for this.”
Asked directly whether she believed Comey should be jailed, Gabbard responded: “I do.”
Looking at the political fallout
The social media firestorm around the “8647” post drew responses from a wide range of Republican figures and Trump allies. Among the most vocal was Donald Trump Jr., who wrote: “Just James Comey causally calling for my dad to be murdered. This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!!”
Just James Comey causally calling for my dad to be murdered.
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 15, 2025
This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!! pic.twitter.com/4LUK6crHAT
House Speaker Mike Johnson posted on X: “President Trump has already survived TWO assassination attempts . Now, former disgraced FBI director James Comey is either threatening to kill Donald Trump or suggesting someone should. This is as outrageous as it is dangerous.”
President Trump has already survived TWO assassination attempts.
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) May 16, 2025
Now, former disgraced FBI director James Comey is either threatening to kill Donald Trump or suggesting someone should. This is as outrageous as it is dangerous.
Grateful @Sec_Noem and @FBIDirectorKash are looking…
Other conservatives echoed the sentiment. Former Trump co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita wrote on X: “I’d raid his f**ing house.”
Political commentator Meghan McCain, daughter of the late Senator John McCain, also weighed in: “Don’t know how this can be interpreted as any other way but a threat against President Trump. James Comey should at the very least get a visit from the secret service. Also is everyone mentally ill?”
Don't know how this can be interpreted as any other way but a threat against President Trump.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) May 15, 2025
James Comey should at the very least get a visit from the secret service.
Also is everyone mentally ill? https://t.co/Gn4Hbpn98f
The White House responded through Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich, who accused Comey of targeting the president while he was on a diplomatic trip to West Asia.
“While President Trump is currently on an international trip to the Middle East, the former FBI Director puts out what can clearly be interpreted as ‘a hit’ on the sitting President of the United States—a message etched in the sand,” Budowich said.
It’s worth noting this assassination threat follows President Trump historic Saudi speech where he declared the demise of the neocons and nation builders.
— Taylor Budowich (@Taylor47) May 15, 2025
American leadership has been restored and peace is on the horizon. This has left the Deep State desperate and… https://t.co/YJpPyBxu4A
He continued: “This assassination threat follows President Trump’s historic Saudi speech where he declared the demise of the neocons and nation builders. American leadership has been restored and peace is on the horizon. This has left the Deep State desperate and dangerous — Comey is only the latest and most disturbing example of them lashing out through threats of violence. Democrats must condemn these threats, not stoke them. We will remain vigilant and unafraid. This is deeply concerning to all of us and is being taken seriously.”
However the group Republicans Against Trump posted on X: “The same people outraged over Comey’s weird post were totally fine with Trump sharing a video showing an image of Biden tied up in the back of a pickup truck. The hypocrisy couldn’t be more obvious.”
Comey’s post is not a call to violence—nowhere close. But like any authoritarian regime, Kash Patel and the MAGA world is using fake “threats” as a pretext to crack down on free speech and dissent against their corrupt rule. pic.twitter.com/6bGyszZ6qv
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) May 15, 2025
The incident comes amid a history of personal and political animosity between Trump and Comey. In 2017, Trump abruptly dismissed Comey as FBI director while the bureau was investigating the Trump campaign’s potential ties to Russian interference in the 2016 election .
Comey’s firing later played a central role in the Mueller investigation into obstruction of justice.
Following his dismissal, Comey became a vocal critic of Trump, publicly comparing him to a mafia boss and alleging that the president undermined democratic norms.
In his memoir and interviews, Comey ridiculed Trump’s physical appearance and described their relationship as fraught from the start.
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