The outcome for former FBI Director James Comey regarding his recent post, which many in the administration interpreted as a subtle threat against Donald Trump, may rest with one of the president’s closest supporters, former Fox News host and judge Jeanine Pirro, whom he has appointed as the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.
Comey found himself in controversy last week after sharing an image of seashells arranged on a beach to depict the numbers ’86 47,’ where ’86’ is an old mob term for a ‘hit’ and ’47’ refers to Trump, the 47th president.
In his post, Comely remarked, ‘Cool shell formation on my beach walk.’ Shortly after, he removed the Instagram post and provided clarification, stating that he believed the shell arrangement conveyed a ‘political message’ but did not intend it as a threat to Trump.
Earlier, I shared a photograph of shells I encountered during a beach walk, which I believed conveyed a political message,” he stated. “I was unaware that some individuals link those numbers to violence. It had not crossed my mind, but I am against any form of violence, so I removed the post.”
However, Comely was visited and interrogated about the initial post by the Secret Service late last week, although it remains uncertain whether any charges will be filed. The discussion reportedly lasted approximately 70 minutes.
As noted by Fox host Jesse Waters on Friday, the decision regarding whether to charge the former FBI director, who was dismissed by Trump early in his first term, rests with Attorney General Pam Bondi. Should she decide to proceed with charges, it is probable that Pirro will manage the prosecution.
The president expressed his views on Comey’s statement on Friday, asserting to Fox anchor Bret Baier that he is confident Comey was fully aware that he was issuing a threat.
He fully understood the implications of that statement. A child can comprehend its meaning. If you are the director of the FBI and fail to grasp its significance, it clearly indicates ‘assassination,’ and this message is unmistakably conveyed, Trump asserted.
FBI Director Kash Patel shared a post on X regarding the incident, emphasizing the agency’s serious approach to the matter.
We are currently in contact with the Secret Service and Director Curran,” he stated. “The primary jurisdiction in these matters lies with the Secret Service, and we, as the FBI, will offer all required assistance.
Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, stated during an interview with Fox’s Watters on Friday that she believes Comey’s actions constitute a threat that warrants imprisonment.
Gabbard firmly rejected the notion that the former FBI Director was unaware of the meaning behind ’86 Trump,’ calling it an absurd and outrageous claim, particularly from someone with Comey’s background in law enforcement.
She emphasized that Comey, who has spent a significant part of his career prosecuting organized crime, is well-acquainted with the terminology associated with such threats.
Furthermore, Gabbard pointed out that Comey acknowledged in a subsequent message that he recognized the political implications of his statement, which she attributed to the recent rise of anti-Trump and anti-Elon Musk protests that have popularized the ’86-47′ slogan, interpreted as a covert incitement to assassinate the current President of the United States.
In light of two assassination attempts on the president’s life, and considering individuals who are revered 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 individual is now perceived as orchestrating a threat against President Trump, she remarked.