James Comey, the former FBI Director, met with the US Secret Service on Friday. The meeting followed concerns over a social media post that some supporters of Donald Trump viewed as a potential threat. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the investigation but did not say if Comey faces further action.
The Secret Service, which protects current and former presidents, interviewed Comey at its Washington field office. A law enforcement official said Comey arrived around 6 p.m. and stayed for about an hour. He came in voluntarily after being asked to attend.
Instagram post triggers backlash
The investigation focuses on an Instagram post Comey shared on Thursday. It showed the number “8647” formed with seashells on a beach. The caption read: “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.”
In US slang, “86” can mean to remove someone, often forcefully. Trump is the 47th US president. Some of his supporters interpreted the post as a coded message encouraging violence.
Comey removed the post after facing backlash. He explained on Instagram: “It never occurred to me, but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.”
Merriam-Webster notes that “86” has sometimes been used to mean “to kill,” but the dictionary has not officially adopted that definition due to limited usage.
Political fallout and ongoing inquiry
Secretary Noem posted on social media platform X: “Today, federal agents from @SecretService interviewed disgraced former FBI Director Comey regarding a social media post calling for the assassination of President Trump. I will continue to take all measures necessary to ensure the protection of @POTUS Trump. This is an ongoing investigation.”
Trump also commented during an interview with Fox News, while on a trip in the Middle East. He said Comey knew what the message meant. “He knew exactly what that meant,” Trump claimed. He said any further action would be up to Attorney General Pam Bondi and others.
Comey has not issued any public statement since the interview.
The numbers “8647” and “8646” have appeared on political merchandise and slogans during the terms of both Trump and Joe Biden, the 46th US president.
Trump fired Comey in 2017 while the FBI was investigating possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. Since then, Comey has criticised Trump publicly. In a 2018 interview, he described him as “morally unfit” for office.
Trump himself has faced criticism for using social media in provocative ways. After the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot, many accused him of encouraging violence through his posts. In another incident last year, Trump shared a video that showed President Biden tied up in the back of a pickup truck, drawing widespread backlash.
