Trump Says Comey ‘8647’ Post Was Assassination Threat/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former FBI Director James Comey’s Instagram post featuring “8647” sparked a political firestorm, with President Trump accusing him of calling for assassination. The number, seen in sand-written seashells, was interpreted by Trump and allies as a coded threat. Federal agencies are investigating as Comey denies intending violence.
Trump Accuses Comey of Assassination Threat: Quick Looks
- Trump claims Comey’s “8647” post implies assassination, calling it “loud and clear.”
- The number combines “86” (to nix) and “47”, referencing Trump as the 47th president.
- Comey deleted the post, saying it was political but not violent.
- Homeland Security and Secret Service are investigating, calling it a potential threat.
- Trump Jr. and other MAGA figures called for Comey’s arrest.
- Comey said he didn’t know the symbolism of 8647, calling the reaction “unexpected.”
- Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said she’s ‘concerned’ for Trump’s life.
- Critics call the outrage politically driven, noting the phrase is vague protest slang.
- Merchandise with “8647” is being sold online, echoing a larger anti-Trump protest trend.
- The term “86” has multiple meanings, with “kill” being a more recent, rare usage.
Trump Says Comey ‘8647’ Post Was Assassination Threat
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — A cryptic photo posted by former FBI Director James Comey showing the number “8647” written in seashells on a beach has ignited a political firestorm — with President Donald Trump alleging it was a coded call for his assassination.
Speaking during a Fox News interview on Friday, Trump did not mince words:
“He’s calling for the assassination of the president.”
The controversy stems from Comey’s now-deleted Instagram post, where he captioned the image:
“Cool shell formation on my beach walk.”
But to Trump and his allies, there was nothing casual about it. The number “8647” — combining “86,” a slang term that can mean “to get rid of,” and “47,” referencing Trump as the 47th U.S. president — has appeared online and in protests as a form of silent dissent. Its meaning, however, is now under federal investigation.
Federal Agencies Investigate
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the Secret Service and DHS are probing the post as a potential threat.
“Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of President Trump,” Noem posted on X.
“We take this responsibility very seriously.”
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi added,
“We vigorously investigate anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees.”
The FBI is also involved, with Director Kash Patel confirming support for the investigation, though the Secret Service holds primary jurisdiction.
Comey Responds
In a follow-up post, Comey explained that he “assumed it was a political message” but claimed he didn’t know the full implications.
“I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence.”
Still, the post’s timing and content were enough to unleash widespread backlash, particularly from MAGA-aligned figures and Trump administration officials.
Trump Jr. posted a screenshot of the image, writing,
“Just James Comey casually calling for my dad to be murdered.”
From Slang to Symbol
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “86” originates from 1930s soda counter slang, meaning to nix, refuse service, or discard something. While it has occasionally been used to imply “kill,” that meaning is less common and more recent.
Online platforms like TikTok and Reddit have seen the rise of “8647” as an anti-Trump protest symbol — often framed not as a violent call, but as a simple opposition message. Some Etsy sellers even list merchandise bearing the number, describing it as “get rid of Trump, the 47th president.”
However, in today’s highly charged political atmosphere, the number’s meaning has become increasingly controversial.
MAGA World Reacts
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich called the post
“deeply concerning to all of us,” noting Trump is currently abroad.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) went further, calling on X:
“Arrest Comey.”
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, in a Fox News interview, said,
“I’m very concerned for the president’s life. Comey should be held accountable and put behind bars for this.”
Trump himself said:
“A child knows what that meant. If you’re the FBI director and you don’t know what that meant, you did it for a reason.”
He called Comey a “dirty cop” and said further legal action would be up to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Backlash and Context
While the number has floated in anti-Trump online spaces for months, often intended as symbolic protest, Trump’s allies have turned it into a flashpoint for what they say is hypocrisy around political violence.
The incident mirrors a 2022 episode where MAGA commentator Jack Posobiec tweeted “86 46”, referring to President Biden. Critics noted that little mainstream outrage followed then — a contrast to the current furor over Comey’s post.
Comey, appointed by Obama but a longtime registered Republican, was fired by Trump in 2017. His ousting and subsequent public critiques of the Trump administration have made him a polarizing figure.
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