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Secret Service Probes James Comey’s Seashell Photo Amidst Allegations of Threat Against Donald Trump
A photograph of seashells posted on Instagram by former FBI Director James Comey is under scrutiny by the U.S. Secret Service, after claims that it posed a “threat” against former President Donald Trump. The controversy stems from interpretations of the seashell arrangement as potentially inciting harm against the former president, making it a critical matter amid ongoing political tensions.
The Controversial Instagram Post
On Thursday, Comey shared a picture of seashells arranged to spell out “8647,” accompanied by the caption: “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.” This seemingly innocuous post quickly ignited political debate.
Interpretations and Reactions
- Trump’s supporters have viewed the message as veiled support for violence against Trump, referencing his status as the 47th president.
- The number 86, a slang term often used in the restaurant industry to signify removing or discarding something, has also been interpreted as a call to “eliminate” or “kill,” according to Merriam-Webster, though this usage is less common.
Comey’s Response and Post Removal
Following the uproar, Comey deleted the post and issued a statement explaining he was unaware of the potential implications of the seashell arrangement and asserting that he does not endorse violence.
“I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message,” Comey stated. “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 the post down.”
Secret Service Investigation Confirmed
A Secret Service representative verified that the agency is “aware of the incident” and will “aggressively investigate” any potential threat, though further details were not provided.
Political Fallout and Accusations
The post sparked considerable controversy on the right, with Trump loyalists accusing Comey of implicitly advocating for the former president’s assassination. This comes after a previous assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in 2016.
Numerous figures have weighed in, adding fuel to the fire:
- Then-South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem stated on X that “DHS and Secret Service is investigating this threat and will respond appropriately.”
The Contentious History Between Comey and Trump
The discord between Comey and Trump dates back to the early days of Trump’s presidency. According to Comey, Trump sought his loyalty, a request the then-FBI director refused.
Trump subsequently dismissed Comey, who was leading the probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election, a move that reverberated throughout Washington. Comey later published a memoir detailing the episode, leading Trump to denounce him as an “untruthful slime ball.”
Since then, Comey has remained a controversial figure, frequently drawing criticism from right-wing circles.
Reactions from Trump Allies
Associates of the former president were quick to denounce Comey’s actions.
- Kash Patel, wrote on X, “We, the FBI, will provide all necessary support.”
- Taylor Budowich, then-White House deputy chief of staff, responded, calling the photo “deeply concerning” and accusing Comey of issuing “what can be clearly interpreted as ‘a hit’ on the sitting President of the United States.”
- Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett, a vocal Trump advocate, even called for Comey’s arrest on X.