According to ABC News, in the deleted post, former FBI Director James Comey shared an image of the words 8647 arranged from the shells of clams on the sand, with the caption: Beautiful shells of clams while walking on the beach. Some of Trump's allies, including far-right activist Laura Loomer, have called for violence against the president.
The phrase 86 in slang has many meanings, in which it is commonly eliminate or reject, according to Merriam-Webster. The number 47 is said to be aimed at Mr. Trump, the 47th President of the United States.
President Trump did not accept Comey's explanation. Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Mr. Trump emphasized: "He knows exactly what that means. A child also knows. If he was the FBI Director and didn't understand, that (86) means assassination."
Trump, who fired Comey during his first term, said the former FBI director still has rancor. He apologizes for being criticized he is a bad guy, Trump added.
For his part, Mr. Comey denied any intention to incite violence. In another Instagram post, he affirmed: "I don't think about it at all, but I'm against all forms of violence."
Currently, the US domestic security has been involved. Minister Kristi Noem said that on the basis of X that the Secret Service was investigating comey's post. "James Comey, the former FBI director was disgraced, just called for assassination of President Trump," she wrote. A spokesman for the Secret Service, Anthony Guglielm, affirmed that the agency was "very serious with the statements that could be considered threats". He said the Secret Service was actively investigating the case.
systematically, Trump Mayer, former Deputy Special Forces Director for the Department of Secret Service's Chicago office, said the investigation could include interviews with Comey and his close associates to assess his mental health, weapons access, travel schedule and current psychological state.
Incumbent FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed he was assisting the Department of Homeland Security in the incident. Meanwhile, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard called for Comey's release. Given his influence and status, I am very concerned about the safety of the President, she said in an interview with Fox News.
Comeys legal representative, lawyer David Kelley, declined to comment on the incident.
