Former FBI chief accused of making ‘death threat' against Donald Trump

Telegraph

16-05-2025

The former director of the FBI has been accused of issuing a death threat against Donald Trump after taking a picture of seashells on a beach.
James Comey, who led the FBI from 2013-2017, shared a photo on Instagram of seashells lined up on the sand to depict the numbers '8647'.
He captioned the post: 'Cool shell formation on my beach walk.'
However, the Secret Service is now investigating the matter after Trump allies interpreted the cryptic message as an incitement to violence against the president.
To '86' is a slang term used in the hospitality industry and the military, meaning to ban someone from an establishment or scrap a piece of equipment. However, it can also mean to kill someone.
Meanwhile, '47' is seen as a reference to Mr Trump, who is the 47th US president.
'While President Trump is currently on an international trip to the Middle East, the former FBI Director puts out what can clearly be interpreted as 'a hit' on the sitting President of the United States — a message etched in the sand,' White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich wrote on X. 'This is deeply concerning to all of us and is being taken seriously.'
Mr Trump's eldest son Donald Trump Jr also posted: 'Just James Comey casually calling for my dad to be murdered.
'This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!!'
Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem said her department was investigating the post.
'Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of @POTUS,' she wrote on X. 'DHS and Secret Service is investigating this threat and will respond appropriately.'
Kash Patel, the FBI director, said that the bureau is 'in communication with the Secret Service' over the matter and 'will provide all necessary support'.
Other senior Republicans labelled the post 'despicable' in the wake of previous attempts on Mr Trump's life and called on Mr Comey to explain his actions.
'This is a direct THREAT against President Trump, who has already survived two assassination attempts,' Alabama Senator Tommy Tubberville wrote on X. 'BEYOND despicable. James Comey MUST face consequences.'
Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn added: 'James Comey is posting cryptic messages online alluding to getting rid of President Trump.
'Would he like to explain what he means by this given the assassination attempts on President Trump?'
Following the online backlash, Mr Comey removed the post from Instagram and released a statement saying it had 'never occurred to me' that the message would be interpreted as a call for violence.
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A post shared by James Comey (@comey)
Mr Trump, 78 was shot in the ear last July during a failed assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, that left one person dead and two others seriously injured.
Two months later, Secret Service agents foiled another would-be assassin who hid in the bushes with a rifle at the president's golf course in Palm Beach, Florida.
The president has a long-running feud with Mr Comey, whom he sacked as FBI director during his first term.
The former bureau chief, who now writes thrillers, was held responsible by many Democrats for helping Mr Trump win the 2016 election after he reopened an investigation into Hillary Clinton's email affairs just 11 days before polling day.