On Friday evening, Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem confirmed that Secret Service agents had a meeting with former FBI director James Comey regarding a social media post labeled “8647,” which some interpreted as a threat against President Trump. However, Noem didn’t provide any further details about what future reviews might entail.
“We will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure (Trump’s) protection,” Noem stated on social media platform X, adding that this is an ongoing investigation.
The Department of Homeland Security didn’t elaborate much in response to queries from the Hill, but did reference earlier comments made by the U.S. Secret Service. They stated, “The Secret Service is actively investigating what we can consider as a potential threat.” They also noted their awareness of social media posts from the former FBI director and emphasized that they take such rhetoric very seriously. Beyond that, they refrained from providing additional comments related to protection issues.
Noem had indicated on Thursday that the Secret Service and DHS had begun their inquiry, framing it as a “threat,” particularly as Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill called for a thorough review.
CNN was the first to report that Comey had agreed to meet with agents voluntarily at the Secret Service’s Washington Field office on Friday. Comey, who is 64, had shared an Instagram photo showing a shell on a beach with the numbers “8647.” Many, including Trump and his allies, interpreted this as a suggestion of assassination against the former president. Comey later clarified that he did not intend for his post to incite any kind of harm, suggesting that “some people didn’t notice” the ambiguity in linking those numbers to violence.
In case it’s not clear, “86” is often used as slang to mean getting rid of something or someone.
Trump, who has faced thwarted assassination attempts in both Pennsylvania and Florida last fall, dismissed Comey’s assertions that the intent behind the post was misunderstood. “He knew exactly what it meant,” Trump commented. “If you’re the director of the FBI and don’t realize it’s a reference to assassination, that’s pretty telling.”
