In a recent development that has stirred controversy and concern, former President Donald Trump has leveled a serious accusation against ex-FBI Director James Comey. Trump asserts that Comey's Instagram post, which featured seashells arranged to read "86 47," was a thinly-veiled message inciting violence against him. The term "86" is commonly understood in slang as a call to eliminate or get rid of something, and with Trump being the 47th president, the post was interpreted by many, including Trump, as a veiled assassination threat.
The interview, which aired on Fox News with Bret Baier on Friday, highlighted Trump's blunt assessment of the situation. "He knew exactly what it meant," Trump stated emphatically. "A child knows what that meant. That meant assassination." Although Comey has offered an explanation that he was merely photographing seashells during a beach walk, without any violent intentions, Trump has dismissed this apology.
The issue is particularly sensitive given the backdrop of multiple assassination attempts on Trump during his 2024 campaign. Notably, on July 13, 2024, an attack during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, resulted in Trump sustaining an ear wound. The assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was fatally shot by law enforcement at the scene. In a separate incident on September 15, 2024, Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested for aiming a rifle at one of Trump's security detail at his West Palm Beach golf course.
These incidents have amplified concerns about the security of political figures and the dangerous potential of coded or symbolic actions. The reactions to Comey's post have been sharply divided along partisan lines. Republicans, including Donald Trump Jr., have expressed outrage. The Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service are reportedly investigating the implications of Comey's Instagram post, with Secretary Kristi Noem confirming the scrutiny.
Critics of Comey find it hard to believe that he could be unaware of the potential interpretation of his post, given his extensive background in law enforcement. Former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has dismissed Comey's defense as "ridiculous" and "insane," and has called for him to be held accountable.
Conversely, supporters of Comey suggest that the number "86" may be a political statement, akin to calls for impeachment, rather than a violent threat. They point to past uses of similar phrases, such as "86 46," which targeted former President Joe Biden, suggesting a non-violent intent.
Comey's tenure as FBI director was fraught with controversy, including his handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton's private email server, which some Democrats believe contributed to Clinton's loss in the 2016 presidential election. His subsequent dismissal by Trump and the leaking of private meeting memos further strained their relationship.
The unfolding situation raises important questions about the interpretation of political messaging and the appropriate limits of symbolic speech, especially in the context of the current political climate and the very real threats that have been made against President Trump's life.
