DHS, Secret Service Investigate Comey Instagram Post Threat Against Trump

Former FBI Director James Comey is under investigation after posting an Instagram photo of seashells arranged to form the numbers '8647,' which many, including the Trump administration and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, interpreted as a veiled threat against President Trump, the 47th president. The slang term '86' is commonly understood to mean 'get rid of' or 'remove,' leading officials to view the post as a call for Trump's removal or assassination. Comey deleted the image and clarified he did not intend any violent message, stating he opposed violence and was unaware of the violent connotations associated with the numbers. The Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security are investigating the post, with FBI Director Kash Patel pledging support for the inquiry. The controversy has drawn strong condemnation from Trump allies, including Donald Trump Jr., who accused Comey of casually calling for his father's murder, and resulted in calls for further investigations by some lawmakers. The incident occurs amid heightened security concerns following previous assassination attempts against Trump during his campaign.