Former FBI Director James Comey faces intense scrutiny over a controversial Instagram post that has Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard calling for his arrest.
At a Glance
- James Comey posted a photo of seashells arranged to spell “86 47,” widely interpreted as a threat against Trump, the 47th president
- DNI Tulsi Gabbard called for Comey’s arrest, citing concerns for Trump’s safety after recent assassination attempts
- The Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security have launched investigations into the post
- Comey deleted the post, claiming he was unaware of any violent connotations
- Numerous Republicans and White House officials have condemned the post as a potential threat
Controversial Message in the Sand
Former FBI Director James Comey has triggered outrage across conservative circles after posting an image on Instagram showing seashells arranged to spell “86 47.” The post quickly drew criticism as the number “86” is commonly used slang for getting rid of something or someone – sometimes implying killing – while “47” clearly references Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. Comey initially captioned the photo “Cool shell formation on my beach walk…” before deleting it amid growing backlash.
The controversial post comes at a sensitive time, following multiple assassination attempts against former President Trump during his campaign and now presidency. Critics argue that someone of Comey’s stature should understand the serious implications of such messaging, particularly given his former role as the nation’s top law enforcement official.
Tulsi Gabbard just called for disgraced FBI director James Comey to be arrested — and said he should be IN JAIL for what he did.
He knew EXACTLY what he was doing and yes — should be investigated and pay the price. Watch @TulsiGabbard @DNIGabbard:pic.twitter.com/SItf9xjqRh
— Trish Regan (@trish_regan) May 16, 2025
Gabbard’s Strong Condemnation
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard didn’t mince words during her appearance on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” calling for Comey to be held legally accountable for what she views as an implicit threat against President Trump. Gabbard expressed serious concerns about the potential real-world consequences of Comey’s post, especially given his continued influence among certain political circles.
Gabbard further emphasized the gravity of the situation by referencing previous attempts on Trump’s life. “We’ve already seen assassination attempts. I’m very concerned for his life. And James Comey, in my view, should be held accountable and put behind bars for this,” she stated firmly. Her comments reflect growing concerns among conservatives about rhetoric that could potentially incite violence against political figures.
Federal Investigations Underway
The Secret Service has confirmed they are investigating Comey’s post as a potential threat against the President. In a statement, a spokesperson said, “The Secret Service vigorously investigates anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees. We take this responsibility very seriously and we are aware of the social media posts in question.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is also reportedly involved in reviewing the matter.
The incident has reignited tensions between Comey and Trump that date back to the former FBI director’s involvement in the Russia investigation and his subsequent firing during Trump’s first term. Several Republican lawmakers have joined Gabbard in calling for Comey’s arrest, including Congressman Tim Burchett and Senator Marsha Blackburn, who view the post as a dangerous escalation in political rhetoric aimed at the President.
Comey’s Defense Falls Flat
After deleting the post amid growing outrage, Comey attempted to downplay the situation with an explanation that many conservatives find difficult to believe. “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,” Comey claimed in a follow-up message. This explanation has been met with skepticism from critics who point to Comey’s extensive law enforcement background.
FBI Director Kash Patel has stated that the agency is aware of the post and will provide any necessary support to ongoing investigations. The White House has also expressed concern, with Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich condemning the message’s implications. As of this reporting, Comey has not made any additional statements regarding the controversy or the calls for his arrest.
