Former FBI director under fire as '86/47' post sparks Trump threat investigation
ALBAWABA - Washington, D.C. Former FBI Director James Comey's ostensibly cryptic Instagram post has sparked a political backlash, with detractors accusing him of subtly encouraging violence against US President Donald Trump.
A picture of seashells organized to show the numerals 86 and 47 was included in the post, which raised questions regarding its purpose and significance.
The number 47 is generally linked to Trump, the 47th President of the United States, while 86 is frequently used in American slang to indicate "eliminate" or "get rid of," according to Kieran Southern, The Times' U.S. reporter.
Comey claims he was not aware of any violent connotations in the picture and that it was meant as a "political message" before removing it soon after becoming live. Many, particularly in conservative circles, who saw the appointment as a covert threat, were not persuaded by his explanation, however. The fact that Trump fired Comey as FBI Director in 2017 is another factor fueling the dispute.
Comey has taken down his '8647' post, after the White House and FBI said they are taking the threat seriously.
Comey should be arrested as per 18 U.S.C. § 871, 'Threats against President and successors to the Presidency'.
Five years in prison.
Jail his ass. pic.twitter.com/K7AEh7JEbt
May 15, 2025
One of the first people to openly react was Donald Trump Jr., who claimed on X (now Twitter) that the message was "a call to kill my father."
The photograph is being seen as a significant threat, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who also confirmed that the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security had opened investigations.
Sign of Protest or Danger?
The study points out that the "47-86" phrase has gained popularity online as a nonviolent protest against Trump, even while the reaction persists. The term is often promoted as political satire or dissent on T-shirts and stickers that are offered for sale on websites such as Amazon and Etsy.
However, The Times notes that given prior assassination attempts during Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, such explanations are unlikely to allay the fears of Trump followers. A few months into Trump's second term, the event has further exacerbated the already divisive political environment.
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