FBI Director Kash Patel on Thursday said that the bureau is taking a recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey seriously, which is apparently signaling a “hit” on President Donald Trump’s life.
The social media post, which Comey shared on Instagram but has since removed, showed the numbers “8647” etched in the sand at a beach via seashells. The numbers are perceived as a call to “86” the 47th president, which is used as a call sign for murder, per Fox News.
“We are aware of the recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, directed at President Trump,” Patel posted on X. “We are in communication with the Secret Service and [Secret Service] Director [Sean] Curran. Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support.”
Comey attempted to walk back the post, which he originally captioned “Cool shell formation on my beach walk,” by stating he was unaware of the violent message behind the numbers.
“I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message,” Comey’s second post read. “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.”
The White House also slammed Comey’s post before it was removed, stating that the administration was also taking the post seriously.
“While President Trump is currently on an international trip to the Middle East, the former FBI Director puts out what can clearly be interpreted as ‘a hit’ on the sitting President of the United States—a message etched in the sand,” White House Deputy Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary Taylor Budowich wrote on X. “This is deeply concerning to all of us and is being taken seriously.”
Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.
