Deputy Director Dan Bongino condemns James Comey's “86 47” post, calling it shameful and damaging to the FBI’s reputation.

Former Director Under Fire for Social Media Post

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino delivered a scathing public rebuke of former FBI Director James Comey on Saturday, criticizing Comey’s controversial “86 47” Instagram post as deeply inappropriate and harmful to the bureau’s reputation. Bongino’s statement followed backlash over a photo Comey posted showing seashells spelling out “86 47”—widely interpreted as a call to “get rid of” the 47th president, Donald Trump.

“Former FBI Director James Comey brought shame to the FBI badge, yet again,” Bongino wrote on X. “The Director and I spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning up messes left behind by former Director Comey. And his latest actions are no exception.”

Comey, who was dismissed by President Trump in 2017, deleted the post after facing criticism and claimed he was unaware the numbers could be interpreted as promoting violence. “I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence,” he said in a follow-up. “It never occurred to me.”

President Trump rejected Comey’s explanation, stating on Fox News that “a child knows what that meant,” and accused Comey of knowingly inciting violence. “That meant ‘assassination,’ and it says it loud and clear,” Trump asserted.

FBI and Secret Service Respond

Bongino emphasized that the FBI does not take such incidents lightly, especially when involving former officials. “We do have the ability and authority to support other federal agencies for violations of federal law,” he said, reaffirming the bureau’s cooperation with the Secret Service, which has already interviewed Comey regarding the incident.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the agency’s coordination with the Secret Service and Director Curran in a separate statement. Bongino added that Comey’s actions reflect a broader pattern of failed leadership. “Sadly, many of those agenda items are the result of former Director Comey’s poor decision-making and atrocious leadership,” he wrote.

Bongino also noted that his Sunday interview with FOX Business anchor Maria Bartiromo was pre-recorded before the incident, prompting him to address the controversy now. “I’m addressing this now… because we recorded that interview earlier in the week,” he explained.

He concluded his statement by affirming the bureau’s commitment to reform and to protecting national integrity. “God bless America, and all those who defend Her,” he wrote.

Bongino, a former NYPD officer and Secret Service agent, was appointed deputy director earlier this year. He and Director Patel are leading the FBI through an extensive reform effort under the Trump administration, aiming to rebuild public trust following what many perceive as politically driven misconduct during previous leadership.