the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Allendale NJ, former FBI Director James Comey was interviewed by the U.S. Secret Service after sharing — and later deleting — an Instagram post that sparked accusations from conservatives of inciting violence against President Donald Trump.
Comey voluntarily participated in the interview, which lasted approximately one hour at the Secret Service’s Washington headquarters. He was not detained or arrested, according to reports.
The Controversial Instagram Post: “8647” and Its Meaning
The controversy began after Comey posted an image of seashells arranged to spell “8647.”
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The number 86 is a slang term that can mean “to eliminate” or “to get rid of,” and has, in some circles, been used as a euphemism for “kill.”
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The number 47 references Donald Trump, who is officially recognized as the 47th President of the United States due to his second term following the 2024 election.
Comey captioned the post with “Cool shell formation,” which he later deleted amid backlash from Republican figures and Trump supporters.
Trump Responds: “It Meant Assassination”
In a Fox News interview, Trump accused Comey of using coded language to call for his assassination:
“He knew exactly what that meant,” Trump said. “A child knows what that meant… If you’re the FBI director and you don’t know what that meant, that meant assassination.”
Trump said any legal response would be left to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has yet to announce any formal investigation or charges.
Comey Responds: “I Oppose Violence of Any Kind”
Comey addressed the controversy in a follow-up Instagram message:
“I saw the shells on a beach walk and assumed they were a political message,” he said. “I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me, but I oppose violence of any kind — so I took down the post.”
Investigation Ongoing: Homeland Security and Intelligence Officials React
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the Secret Service interview in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“I will continue to take all measures necessary to ensure the protection of @POTUS Trump. This is an ongoing investigation.”
Meanwhile, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard went further, publicly calling for Comey to be jailed, accusing him of “issuing a hit” on the President during his overseas travel.
What’s Next?
While Comey has denied any intent to promote violence, the case underscores the high political tensions and the power of symbolism in digital communication. The Secret Service continues to investigate, and further statements from federal agencies are expected in the coming days.
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