The Trump administration has launched an investigation into former FBI Director James Comey over a now-deleted Instagram post that officials allege amounted to a call for President Trump’s assassination, members of the president’s cabinet confirmed Thursday evening.
Comey’s post, which featured seashells arranged to read “86 47” on a beach, drew immediate backlash. Though Comey later removed the post and claimed it was not intended as a call for violence, officials say the message was clear. “86” is widely understood slang for killing or getting rid of someone, and “47” is interpreted as a reference to Trump, the 47th president.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Comey had “called for the assassination” of the president and confirmed that the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service are investigating. FBI Director Kash Patel said his agency will support the probe, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told Fox News that Comey belongs in jail.
“James Comey, in my view, should be held accountable and put behind bars,” Gabbard said during an interview with Jesse Watters.
