Ex-FBI Director James Comey is being investigated by the Secret Service after he posted a photo to social media of the numbers ” 86 47,” a move the White House has said appears to be an attempt to put a “hit” on President Donald Trump, who is the 47th president.
According to Fox News, the post was later deleted after it caused a wave of backlash from various government officials, and lawmakers. In the past year alone, Trump has faced two failed assassination attempts, one narrowly missing his head and hitting his ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July last year.
“Cool shell formation on my beach walk….” Comey captioned under the post Thursday. The shells were formed “86 47” in the sand. However, the number “86” is often used as a sign a person should be murdered, most often used by criminal gangs.
Comey deleted the post. He received condemnation from one lawmaker, who called for Comey’s arrest.
“I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message,” Comey said. “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.”
Fox News further reported that a source had told the news outlet that the Secret Service were already aware and would be sending agents to interview the former FBI Director, after he was fired by Trump during his first term.
Current FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X that he was aware of Comey’s post.
“We are aware of the recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, directed at President Trump,” Patel said on X. “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.”
White House deputy chief of staff and Cabinet Secretary Taylor Budowich said Comey’s post was “deeply concerning.”
“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 wrote on X. “This is deeply concerning to all of us and is being taken seriously.”
