Former FBI Director James Comey has come under intense scrutiny after posting a cryptic photo on Instagram that supporters of Donald Trump interpreted as a veiled threat against the former and possibly future U.S. President. The image, which showed seashells arranged to form the number "8647", triggered widespread backlash, prompting Comey to delete the post and issue a clarification.
What Did “8647” Mean?
The controversy stems from the interpretation of the number:
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"86" is American slang for “to get rid of” or “eliminate”, sometimes with violent connotations.
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"47" is being associated with Donald Trump, who is campaigning to become the 47th President of the United States.
Combining the two, critics interpreted the message as a coded call to “eliminate Trump”, a view amplified by conservative figures and Republican officials in the aftermath of a July 2024 assassination attempt on Trump, during which he suffered a serious ear injury.
Comey’s Response
Comey swiftly deleted the post and said:
"I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message. 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."
Despite his clarification, the fallout has been significant.
Republican Outrage and Investigations
The post was first flagged by Donald Trump Jr., who accused Comey of “casually calling for my dad to be murdered.” Others quickly joined:
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Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Secretary:
“Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of Trump. DHS and Secret Service are investigating this threat.”
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Taylor Budowich, White House Deputy Chief of Staff:
“This message etched in the sand could clearly be interpreted as ‘a hit’ on the sitting President.”
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Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence:
“The dangerousness of this cannot be underestimated. We’ve had two assassination attempts on the President’s life.”
Political and Security Fallout
This incident has intensified partisan tensions, with Republicans accusing Comey and the so-called “deep state” of inciting violence against Trump. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Secret Service are reportedly investigating the matter.
The timing is especially sensitive, given the recent assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July 2024, which already heightened concerns over Trump's safety during his campaign.
Comey, a frequent critic of Trump since being fired in 2017, now finds himself at the center of a firestorm over whether his post was an innocent coincidence or something more sinister — a question that may soon face formal inquiry by federal authorities.
