The scrutiny on Comey's Instagram photo has sparked a political uproar, with officials debating the implications of his post amid ongoing threats against the President.
FBI's Former Director James Comey Under Investigation for Controversial Seashell Post Linked to Trump
FBI's Former Director James Comey Under Investigation for Controversial Seashell Post Linked to Trump
James Comey's social media post featuring seashells raises alarms, leading Secret Service to investigate potential threats against President Trump.
Former FBI director James Comey is now facing an investigation by the Secret Service following a controversial Instagram photo he posted and then deleted, which some Republicans interpreted as a threat to President Donald Trump. The post featured seashells arranged to display the numbers "8647", captioned "Cool shell formation on my beach walk." The term "86," defined by Merriam-Webster as both 'to reject' or 'to get rid of', has gained notoriety in recent years for being associated with ideas of violence, including 'to kill'.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has publicly suggested that Comey's post hinted at a call for assassination against Trump, a claim Comey denies, stating he stands firmly against any form of violence. In a statement on social media, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi emphasized the agency's commitment to investigating any potential threats to protectees. He remarked on the seriousness of such rhetoric, though he refrained from delving into specifics regarding the investigation.
After deleting his controversial post, Comey remarked that he had not connected the nature of the numbers with violent connotations, asserting "I oppose violence of any kind". Meanwhile, in light of the incident, current FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the agency is in touch with the Secret Service on the matter, asserting that they will provide whatever support is required.
The fallout has been swift, with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino accusing Comey of inciting violence against the President while he is on an international trip, particularly during a time when Trump has survived several assassination attempts last year. Additionally, Donald Trump Jr. expressed outrage over the incident, suggesting it was a casual call for his father's murder.
James Comey served as FBI director from 2013 to 2017 and witnessed a highly contentious period, especially during the investigation regarding Hillary Clinton's emails right before the pivotal 2016 election. His tenure ended after being dismissed by Trump amidst another investigation about Russian meddling during the same election cycle.
