FBI Director Kash Patel remarked in a social media update on Thursday that federal agencies are investigating a now-deleted tweet from former Director James Comey, which was perceived by many as a threat to President Donald Trump’s life.
Patel stated, ‘We acknowledge the recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey aimed at President Trump. We are coordinating with the Secret Service and Director Curran. The primary jurisdiction in these matters lies with the Secret Service, and the FBI will extend all necessary assistance.
Comey’s tweet featured an image of seashells seemingly arranged to depict the numbers ’86 47,’ which many interpreted as an incitement to assassinate Trump, the 47th president. The term ’86’ is colloquially used to refer to a ‘hit.’ In his post, he also commented, ‘cool shell formation on my beachwalk.
Subsequently, the former FBI director, who was dismissed by Trump at the beginning of his first term due to misconduct, shared another message on X asserting that he was unaware that certain individuals linked those figures to acts of violence.
During an interview with Fox News, Trump was questioned regarding the post in which he expressed criticism towards Comey for asserting his lack of knowledge.
He fully understood the implications of that statement. A child can grasp its meaning. If you are the FBI director and fail to comprehend its significance, it indicates an assassination threat,” Trump remarked. “While he may not have been highly competent, he possessed enough awareness to understand its meaning.
Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, who is responsible for the Secret Service, announced on X: ‘The DHS and Secret Service are currently investigating this threat and will take appropriate action.
Meanwhile, Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, stated that Comey’s post constitutes a threat that warrants incarceration.
Do you truly believe that the former FBI Director was unaware of the meaning behind ’86 Trump’? asked host Jesse Watters.
“Absolutely not, Jesse,” Gabbard responded. “That statement is utterly absurd and outrageous, particularly in this context, and especially coming from someone like the former Director of the FBI, who dedicated a significant portion of his career to prosecuting organized crime and individuals who commit heinous acts, using terminology such as ’86.’
Comey acknowledged in his subsequent communication that he recognized this as a politically charged statement. The only reason he was aware of this, Jesse, is that just over a month prior, a group of protesters opposing Trump and Elon Musk had been widely using the 86-47 slogan, which subtly incited violence against the current President of the United States,” she elaborated.
“Therefore, for Comey to assume that we, the American populace, are so naive as to believe that he, as a former FBI Director and prosecutor who is evidently attentive to current events, would genuinely claim ignorance regarding the implications of this statement is deeply concerning. The potential threat posed by this cannot be overstated,” Gabbard asserted.
In light of two assassination attempts on the president’s life, and considering individuals who are lauded by MSNBC, the Democratic elite, and CNN as paragons of integrity—such as Comey, who is portrayed as the law and order figure and a truth-teller regardless of the repercussions—it is concerning that this same individual is now perceived as targeting President Trump, the president elected by the American populace, as she pointed out.