On Friday, Secret Service agents interviewed former FBI Director James Comey regarding his controversial social media post featuring seashells arranged as “8647,” which some administration officials have labeled a death threat against President Trump. Comey characterized the post as a political statement, claiming he did not intend to incite violence and promptly deleted it after realizing its implications. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem condemned the post, asserting it necessitated investigation to ensure Trump’s safety. Trump, while speaking on Fox News, argued Comey knew precisely what the post implied, equating it with a call for assassination.
Concerns for Trump’s safety have been heightened following two assassination attempts during his 2024 campaign. The first involved a gunman who shot at him from a nearby rooftop, while the second involved a man aiming a rifle at Trump’s security during a golf outing in Florida. Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, has called for Comey to face jail time due to her concerns for the president’s life.
The term “eighty-six,” often used in restaurant contexts to refer to banning customers or removing menu items, has previously appeared in political discourse, attracting differing interpretations. Former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz used “86” in a past tense context regarding political figures, stating Comey’s usage differed as it implied future action.
Despite the uproar, a former federal prosecutor stated that Comey’s post likely does not meet the legal definition of a threat, emphasizing it lacked a willful or explicit intention to harm. Nonetheless, the controversy has provided ample room for political opponents to voice their criticisms.
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