Former FBI Director Comey Deletes Alleged Threat Post Against Trump Amid Backlash

Former FBI Director James Comey posted a photo on Instagram showing seashells arranged to form the numbers "86 47," which many interpreted as a threatening message against President Donald Trump, with "86" commonly meaning to eliminate and "47" referring to Trump as the 47th president. The post sparked significant backlash from conservatives, lawmakers, and public figures who viewed it as a call for Trump's assassination, leading to calls for an investigation and Secret Service involvement. Comey deleted the post and stated he was unaware that the numbers could be associated with violence and emphasized his opposition to any violence. The White House condemned the post, describing it as a potential 'hit' on the sitting president and affirming it was being taken seriously. The FBI, including its current leadership, acknowledged awareness of the post and indicated coordination with the Secret Service. Despite Comey's claim of ignorance about the message's violent connotation, critics remain skeptical given his background as a former FBI director.