Federal Investigation Director James Comey is facing backlash online after sharing a social media post that many interpret as a threat against President Donald Trump. The post featured the numbers “8647” formed in beach sand using shells, with Comey commenting about a “cool shell formation” during a beach walk.
Although it might appear innocuous to some, the numbers “86” often signify a call to eliminate someone, while “47” refers to the 47th president of the United States. The reaction to the post was swift, with at least one lawmaker calling for Comey to be held accountable. In response to the growing criticism, Comey deleted the post and addressed the situation.
He explained, “I put up some shell photos from my beach walk. I didn’t think it was political.” He further stated that no one associated those numbers with violence, adding, “I’m against all forms of violence, so I decided to remove it.”
The FBI, which Comey previously led before being dismissed by Trump, has not made any comments regarding this incident, although it seems that higher-ups within the agency were aware of the post. Concerns were voiced about the implications of someone interpreting a beach engraving as a threat against a sitting president, especially while Trump is on an international trip in the Middle East. As acknowledged by some, this type of message raises serious concerns.
