The Secret Service is investigating former FBI Director James Comey after he posted an Instagram photo showing seashells arranged to form the numbers "86 47"—a message some officials and lawmakers swiftly condemned as a veiled threat against President Donald Trump.
Comey captioned the photo, “Cool shell formation on my beach walk…,” but critics were quick to point out that “86” is commonly used as slang for eliminating or killing someone, while “47” is widely recognized as a reference to Trump, the 47th President of the United States.
Comey deleted the photo following backlash, including calls from some lawmakers for his arrest. In a follow-up post, Comey wrote, “I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message. 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 source confirmed to Fox News Digital that the Secret Service is aware of the incident and plans to interview Comey. The FBI, which Comey once led, declined to comment but confirmed senior officials had been made aware of the post.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that his agency is cooperating with the Secret Service and providing support. “Primary jurisdiction is with [the Secret Service] on these matters,” Patel said on X.
The post sparked strong condemnation from White House officials. Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich called the image “deeply concerning,” noting it came as President Trump traveled overseas. “The former FBI Director puts out what can clearly be interpreted as ‘a hit’ on the sitting President,” Budowich wrote.
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., who is backed by Trump, went further, calling for Comey’s arrest.
The incident recalls a 2020 investigation into comedian John Mulaney, who joked about the assassination of Julius Caesar during a Saturday Night Live monologue, prompting a similar response from federal authorities.