US law enforcement authorities have indicated they are examining a social media post by former FBI Director James Comey that features an image of “8647,” a number some Trump supporters interpreted as a threat against the US President.
Mr. Comey, who was dismissed by Donald Trump in 2017, subsequently removed the post, claiming he was unaware that the seemingly political message could be associated with violence.
In US vernacular, the number 86 can function as a verb meaning to expel someone from a bar for being intoxicated or disruptive, while 47 refers to Mr. Trump, the 47th president.
Certain supporters of the president interpreted the message as a call for his violent removal from office, potentially through assassination.
The Secret Service, tasked with presidential protection, stated it was aware of Mr. Comey’s post but did not evaluate its implications.
“The Secret Service thoroughly investigates anything that could be perceived as a potential threat against our protectees.
“We recognize the social media posts by the former FBI director and take rhetoric like this very seriously. Beyond that, we do not comment on protective intelligence issues,” stated Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi.
Donald Trump and James Comey pictured in Washington DC in 2017.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose agency oversees the Secret Service, stated on X that DHS and Secret Service were “investigating this threat and will respond appropriately.”
Current FBI Director Kash Patel remarked on X that his agency was in contact with the Secret Service regarding the post and “will provide all necessary support.”
Others were more direct in attributing a sinister connotation to Mr. Comey’s post, with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino asserting it was a call to assassinate Mr. Trump.
Mr. Comey shared an Instagram photo showcasing the number 8647 created from seashells on the beach.
“Cool shell formation on my beach walk,” Mr. Comey wrote.
However, following the backlash from Trump supporters, Mr. Comey deleted the post, stating he had initially thought it was just a “political message.”
“I didn’t realize some individuals associated those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me, but I oppose violence of any kind, so I took the post down,” Mr. Comey explained.
In May 2017, early in his first term, Mr. Trump fired Mr. Comey, who was overseeing an investigation into the Trump 2016 presidential campaign’s potential collusion with Russia to assist Mr. Trump in winning the election.
