Trump Accuses Comey of Assassination Menace Over ‘8647’ Instagram Put up
Washington, Might 16, 2025 — President Donald Trump accused former FBI Director James Comey of calling for his assassination by way of a now-deleted Instagram put up that includes seashells organized to type the quantity “8647.” In a Fox Information interview on Friday, Trump claimed, “He knew precisely what that meant. A baby is aware of what that meant. That meant assassination,” asserting that the numbers have been a coded menace. The controversy has sparked a federal investigation by the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) and the Secret Service, with Trump allies amplifying the allegations.
The put up, captioned “Cool shell formation on my seaside stroll,” was shared by Comey on Thursday and shortly drew condemnation from Trump supporters. They interpreted “86” as slang for “to do away with” or “to kill,” per Merriam-Webster, and “47” as a reference to Trump, the forty seventh U.S. president. Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem posted on X, “Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey simply referred to as for the assassination of @POTUS Trump,” asserting the investigation. Donald Trump Jr. echoed the sentiment, accusing Comey of “casually calling for my dad to be murdered.”
Comey, fired by Trump in 2017 amid an FBI probe into Trump’s 2016 marketing campaign ties to Russia, deleted the put up and issued a press release denying any violent intent. “I assumed [the shells] have been a political message,” he wrote on Instagram. “I didn’t notice some of us affiliate these numbers with violence. It by no means occurred to me, however I oppose violence of any sort, so I took the put up down.” He reiterated his opposition to violence, however Trump dismissed the reason, calling Comey a “soiled cop” and leaving any authorized motion to Legal professional Normal Pam Bondi.
The backlash has been fierce, with figures like Director of Nationwide Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard calling for Comey’s imprisonment, labeling the put up a “veiled name to motion” in opposition to Trump. White Home Deputy Chief of Employees Taylor Budowich claimed it was a “hit” on the president, particularly provocative given Trump’s Center East journey. The Secret Service confirmed it’s investigating, with spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi stating, “We take rhetoric like this very severely.” FBI Director Kash Patel famous the company is supporting the Secret Service’s lead.
The incident follows two 2024 assassination makes an attempt on Trump, heightening sensitivities round potential threats. Critics observe the “8647” hashtag has appeared on platforms like TikTok since March 2025, typically signaling anti-Trump sentiment, although no direct hyperlink to violence has been established. Some Republicans, together with Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. Tim Burchett, have demanded Comey’s arrest, whereas others, like former Rep. Matt Gaetz, have used “86” in political contexts with out comparable scrutiny.
The controversy underscores the tense relationship between Trump and Comey, whose 2017 firing shocked Washington. As investigations proceed, the episode highlights the polarized local weather surrounding Trump’s presidency, the place even a seaside photograph can ignite a federal probe.
