James Comey, the former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is facing significant backlash—and now legal issues—after a deleted social media post ignited outrage among Republicans. The controversy originated from a May 2025 Instagram photo displaying seashells arranged to read “86 47,” which critics interpreted as a coded message aimed at Donald Trump. What started as online criticism has escalated into a major political and legal confrontation.
On April 28, 2026, the U.S. Justice Department indicted Comey for a second time regarding the post, marking another effort to prosecute the former FBI director during Trump’s administration. The charges, approved by a federal grand jury, include making a threat against the president and transmitting that threat across state lines. This case follows an earlier indictment in September 2025 related to alleged false statements to Congress, which was subsequently dismissed on procedural grounds.
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s Director of National Intelligence, also commented during a May 2025 Fox News interview, accusing Comey of “issuing a hit” on the president and labeling the post dangerous given recent threats against Trump. “It’s individuals like Comey and others who refer to the president as a modern-day Nazi, people in influential positions saying that President Trump poses an existential threat to our country,” she stated.
In response, Comey has asserted his innocence and pushed back against the charges. “I’m still innocent, I’m still not afraid and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary, so let’s go,” he stated in a video message posted on Substack, encouraging Americans to “keep the faith.”
Below, discover what Comey said in response to the backlash and learn about the meaning of “86.”
What Did James Comey Share in a Photo?
In a now-deleted Instagram post, Comey shared a photo of seashells that formed the numbers “86 47.” The former FBI director captioned the post, “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.”
In light of the uproar, Comey clarified in a follow-up Instagram post on Thursday, May 15, “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.”
What Does 86 47 Mean?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “86” is a common slang term meaning “reject,” “throw out,” or “get rid of.” The dictionary also indicates that it can mean “to kill.” For instance, one might say, “The individual was eighty-sixed from the bar.”
Republicans contended that Comey’s post could have incited violence against Trump. Given that he is the 47th president of the U.S., some accused Comey of wanting to “86” the 47th president.
What Happened to James Comey?
Comey served as FBI director from 2013 until May 2017 when he was dismissed by Trump while overseeing an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. His firing quickly became a major political flashpoint and led to the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
