James Comey's "86 47" beach post draws backlash and Secret Service probe over perceived threat to President Trump

Former FBI Director Faces Federal Scrutiny After Deleted Instagram Post

The U.S. Secret Service has launched an investigation into a controversial Instagram post made by former FBI Director James Comey, which critics have interpreted as a veiled threat against President Donald Trump. The now-deleted post displayed the numbers “86 47” arranged using seashells on a beach—an image that drew swift condemnation from the White House and sparked calls for Comey’s arrest.

The post, captioned “Cool shell formation on my beach walk…,” appeared Thursday and quickly drew attention due to the significance of the numbers. In informal usage, “86” is commonly understood as slang for eliminating or “getting rid of” someone, while “47” is interpreted as referencing Trump, the 47th President of the United States.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich called the image “deeply concerning” and condemned the post in a statement. “While President Trump is currently on an international trip to the Middle East, the former FBI Director puts out what can clearly be interpreted as ‘a hit’ on the sitting President of the United States — a message etched in the sand,” Budowich wrote on X.

Comey Deletes Post, Claims Misunderstanding

Following backlash from government officials and the public—including Trump’s son and Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), who called for Comey’s arrest—the former FBI chief removed the post and issued a clarification. “I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message,” Comey said. “I didn't realize 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.”

A Secret Service source confirmed that agents were aware of the matter and will conduct an interview with Comey. The FBI, where Comey previously served until he was dismissed by Trump, declined comment, but confirmed top-level awareness of the post. FBI Director Kash Patel noted on X, “We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director Curran. Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support.”

The controversy has reignited memories of past incidents, including one in 2020 when comedian John Mulaney was investigated for a monologue referencing the assassination of Julius Caesar in connection with Trump. In that case, the FBI ultimately took no further action.

In light of two assassination attempts on President Trump in the past year—one of which resulted in a gunshot injury and the death of a bystander—the federal government appears to be taking all perceived threats with heightened seriousness. The symbolism of “86 47” has intensified concerns over veiled messages circulating on social media, especially from prominent figures with security backgrounds.

As the Secret Service continues its investigation, Comey’s post remains a flashpoint in an increasingly polarized political environment. Whether charges will be pursued remains unclear, but the incident underscores the volatile intersection of digital expression, symbolism, and political security in today’s climate.