Comey Deletes Instagram Post After Uproar Over '86 47' Message
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Right-Leaning
Why: The coverage amplifies Republican reactions, frames Comey’s post as a threat, and emphasizes accusations by conservative figures like Trump Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Kristi Noem.
The Controversial Post
Former FBI Director James Comey on Thursday deleted an Instagram post that featured seashells arranged to display the numbers “86 47.” The post drew immediate backlash from conservative political figures, who interpreted the numbers as a coded threat against former President Donald Trump.
The number “86” is often slang for removing or discarding something.
“47” refers to Trump being the 47th president of the United States.
Comey explained that he saw the shells during a beach walk and assumed the number sequence was a political message unrelated to violence. After learning the phrase could be seen as a threat, he deleted the 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,” Comey wrote on Instagram.
Republican Reaction
The post triggered an immediate and strong reaction from several Republican officials and commentators.
Donald Trump Jr. accused Comey of calling for the murder of his father, calling the post “demented.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service were investigating what she described as a threat against Trump.
Former Congresswoman and current Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated on Fox News that Comey should be jailed, arguing that as a former FBI director, he should have known the implications of the phrase.
“I’m very concerned for his life,” Gabbard said of Trump. “And James Comey in my view should be held accountable and put behind bars for this.”
Law Enforcement Response
The Secret Service confirmed it was aware of the incident but did not provide further comment.
A spokesperson said the agency “vigorously investigates anything that can be taken as a potential threat.”
The FBI, now led by Director Kash Patel, said it would support the Secret Service’s investigation.
Patel said he was “in communication” with Secret Service leadership and that “primary jurisdiction is with SS.”
Comey, when contacted by CNN, referred to his Instagram post where he explained why he deleted the image.
Comey's History with Trump
Comey has had a contentious relationship with Trump since the early days of his administration. Trump fired Comey in May 2017, citing concerns over the FBI’s handling of the Russia investigation and later calling him a “grandstander” and “showboat.”
Comey also led the probe into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while she was Secretary of State. Neither the investigation into Clinton nor the Russia probe resulted in charges against either political figure, but both investigations were heavily criticized by lawmakers on both sides.
Political Implications
The removal of the post and the resulting controversy highlight the ongoing tensions between former law enforcement officials and figures in Trump’s political orbit.
Critics argue Comey’s post was tone-deaf and irresponsible.
Supporters suggest the backlash is politically motivated and exaggerates the original post’s intent.
The post has reignited partisan debates around Comey's past investigations and his conduct in public office.
Though no formal charges have been filed, calls for criminal investigation and public condemnation continue to grow, particularly from conservative leaders.
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