FBI Deputy Director Bongino Condemns Comey Over '86 47' Post Amid Investigation

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino publicly condemned former FBI Director James Comey for posting a controversial image on Instagram showing seashells arranged to spell '86 47,' a phrase widely interpreted as a call to remove or even threaten President Donald Trump, the 47th president. Bongino described Comey's post as disgraceful and a further example of failed leadership that continues to burden the FBI, stating that he and current Director Kash Patel are working to clean up the messes left by Comey. Despite Comey's claim that he did not intend the message as violent and removed the post, Trump and others, including the Secret Service, viewed it as an implied assassination threat. Bongino emphasized that while the FBI does not have primary responsibility for investigating threats to the president, it supports other federal agencies and must comment on allegations involving former officials. He also highlighted ongoing internal reforms to address issues resulting from Comey's tenure, assuring that the problems are more severe than publicly known. The controversy has drawn widespread criticism from political figures and law enforcement, raising questions about Comey's conduct and the FBI's institutional challenges.