The Trump administration has launched an investigation into former FBI Director James Comey following a social media post that some government officials and supporters of President Trump perceive as a threat against the president. On Thursday, Comey shared a photo on Instagram featuring seashells arranged in the numbers 8647, captioned: "Cool shell formation on my beach walk." The number 86 is often used as slang for "to get rid of," and in this context, it is particularly significant as Donald Trump is both the 47th and 45th president of the United States.
According to Merriam-Webster, the primary definition of "86" derives from the service industry, meaning to throw out or deny service to a customer. However, it also has a secondary connotation that implies violence, although this meaning is not officially recognized due to its recent emergence and limited usage. The post provoked outrage among some Republicans, with Donald Trump Jr. accusing Comey of implying a call for his father's murder. Comey later deleted the post, asserting that he believed the seashell arrangement was a political statement rather than a violent one.
The identity of the individual who created the seashell formation remains unknown. Comey has been a vocal critic of Trump since his tenure as FBI director, which included overseeing the investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. Trump dismissed Comey in 2017, four years into his ten-year term. In response to the backlash, Comey wrote on Instagram, "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."
Several Republican politicians are now advocating for Comey to face consequences that could range from an investigation to potential arrest. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced late Thursday that her department, in conjunction with the Secret Service, is investigating the situation and will take appropriate action. A spokesperson for the Secret Service, Anthony Guglielmi, stated that the agency is aware of Comey's post and is taking the matter seriously, emphasizing that they thoroughly investigate any rhetoric that could be interpreted as a threat against their protectees.
Some Republican leaders, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, expressed skepticism about Comey's claim of ignorance regarding the violent implications of the term. Gabbard voiced her concerns for the president's safety, referencing previous assassination attempts on Trump during his reelection campaign. Trump survived a shooting incident at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania and a separate encounter where a man aimed a rifle at his security detail while he was golfing in Florida.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump expressed his belief that Comey was fully aware of the connotations behind his post, stating, "A child knows what that meant. If you're the FBI director and you don't know ... that meant 'assassination.'" He further asserted that the message was clear and should not be dismissed.
This incident is not the first time the term "86" has stirred controversy in U.S. politics. The phrase entered the political lexicon in 2018 when then-press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was asked to leave a Virginia restaurant, leading to a viral photo of a note reading "86 Sarah Huckabee Sanders." In October 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer sparked speculation when she was seen wearing an 8645 pin during a Zoom interview, prompting accusations from Republicans that she was sending a violent message.
Recently, the slogan "8647" has emerged as a code representing opposition to Trump, circulating on platforms like TikTok and appearing on protest signs. Though the exact meaning remains vague, it is widely recognized as a signal of disapproval for Trump’s presidency. Republican Senator Mike Lee condemned Comey's post, asserting that it was too close to recent assassination attempts to be viewed as a harmless joke.
Merchandise featuring the "8647" slogan, including shirts, hats, and bumper stickers, is available on various online platforms, including Amazon and Etsy. Critics argue that this situation highlights a double standard in how violent rhetoric is perceived, pointing out that similar or more aggressive rhetoric directed at Democratic leaders has often been overlooked. They cite instances of violent imagery used by Trump and his allies, including a recent post featuring a truck with an image of President Joe Biden bound and displayed.
In 2021, former Representative Paul Gosar faced censure for sharing an animated video depicting violence against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and threats toward President Biden, illustrating the contentious nature of political discourse surrounding violence in America.
