DHS Launches Investigation Into James Comey '8647' Post

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Kristi Noem, secretary of the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS), introduced Thursday that it will launch an investigation right into a since-deleted Instagram put up shared by former FBI Director James Comey—a put up that allegedly alluded to assassinating President Donald Trump.

Within the put up, Comey, 64, shared a picture on Instagram of a sea shell formation Comey claimed resembled the quantity “8647.” The seemingly cryptic picture sparked instant backlash from Trump allies, Republican lawmakers, and administration officers, who interpreted it as a thinly veiled jab at Trump. Critics identified that “86” is usually used as slang for “to eradicate” or “eliminate,” in accordance with Merriam-Webster, suggesting the put up could have carried a pointed political message to eliminate the president, in accordance with NBC Information.

“Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey simply known as for the assassination of @POTUS Trump,” Noem penned on Thursday, Might 15, noting that DHS could be investigating the put up alongside the Secret Service.

Comey denied wrongdoing

After deleting the put up in query, Comey shared a press release on Instagram explaining that the picture wasn’t a direct menace to Trump. He assumed the picture was consultant of “a political message” however didn’t understand that some could interpret the numbers as “violence.”

He added, “It by no means occurred to me however I oppose violence of any variety so I took the put up down.”

Apparently, Comey isn’t the primary to make use of “86” in a political context. In February 2024, Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz—as soon as floated as a possible legal professional common underneath Trump—used the time period in a social media put up calling out fellow Republicans who he had beforehand clashed with.

Nonetheless, Comey’s apology wasn’t sufficient to stave off criticism from Republicans and allies of Trump. Donald Trump Jr. claimed Comey “casually” known as for his father “to be murdered,” in a put up shared Thursday. “That is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!!” he added.

Throughout an look on Fox Information’ “Jesse Watters Primetime,” Director of Nationwide Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard known as for Comey to be jailed over the put up, stating she didn’t consider he was unaware of the doable interpretation of “8647.”

“There needs to be accountability for this…The rule of regulation says individuals like him who subject direct threats towards the POTUS, primarily issuing a name to assassinate him, have to be held accountable underneath the regulation,” Gabbard stated. “I’m very involved for his life.”

“We’ve already seen assassination makes an attempt…and James Comey for my part must be held accountable and put behind bars for this,” she added.

Comey served as FBI Director for over three years, overseeing high-profile investigations into Russian interference within the 2016 presidential election and Hillary Clinton’s use of a personal e mail server. He was dismissed by Donald Trump in Might 2017, simply months into Trump’s first time period.

Since his firing, Comey has been an outspoken critic of the previous president, repeatedly questioning Trump’s health for workplace and condemning his impulsive habits and inflammatory rhetoric. In an April 2018 interview with NPR, Comey expressed concern that President Trump threatens core American values such because the rule of regulation, fact, and equal safety—values that transcend political divisions. He warned that if these foundational statues are erased, the very identification of the nation is in danger.

“What I’m nervous about with this president is, he threatens these [values]. And if we lose these, if these norms are degraded, these values are degraded, what are we precisely?” the previous FBI director stated on the time. “And so, I’m hoping that I might be helpful in saying to individuals, it doesn’t matter whether or not the Republican or Democrat or neither. We have to assume and discuss these values…there’s a hazard.”