Cryptic ‘8647’ Post
Former FBI Director James Comey has come under scrutiny following a controversial social media post that some interpreted as a veiled threat against President Donald Trump.
The post, which featured the number “8647” arranged in seashells on a beach, was shared on Instagram with the caption, “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.” However, it quickly sparked backlash, particularly among Trump supporters, who accused Comey of subtly calling for violence against the current president.
In American slang, the number “86” can be used as a verb meaning to eject someone, often from a bar or restaurant for disorderly conduct. The number “47” is often associated with Donald Trump, who is serving as the 47th President of the United States. When paired together, “8647” was interpreted by some as an incitement to “remove” or even assassinate the president — a claim that intensified as the post gained traction online.
Comey, who was dismissed by Trump in May 2017 while leading an FBI investigation into possible Russian interference in the 2016 election, quickly removed the post after the uproar.
He issued a statement clarifying that he had no violent intent and did not understand the numerical combination could be interpreted as such. “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,” Comey explained.
Nevertheless, the post drew official attention. The U.S. Secret Service, responsible for the safety of the president, acknowledged awareness of the post and confirmed an ongoing review. “The Secret Service vigorously investigates anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees,” said spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi, while noting that they would not comment further on protective intelligence matters.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the DHS and Secret Service are investigating what she described as a potential threat, promising an appropriate response.
FBI Director Kash Patel also confirmed that his agency is coordinating with the Secret Service and would offer full support during the inquiry.
Reactions were mixed, with some like White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino accusing Comey outright of issuing a call to assassinate Trump, while others viewed it as an unfortunate but innocent misstep. The controversy has reignited partisan tensions surrounding Comey’s role in past investigations into Trump and the broader debate over political rhetoric and personal responsibility in the digital age.
