Former FBI Director James Comey Meets with Secret Service Following Controversial '86 47' Post

Former FBI Director James Comey is expected to sit down with U.S. Secret Service officials in Washington, D.C., for an in-person interview related to a controversial social media post, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

The investigation centers on an Instagram photo posted by Comey, which depicted seashells arranged on a beach to spell out “86 47.” In the accompanying caption, Comey wrote, “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.” However, the post—now deleted—quickly drew scrutiny, as some interpreted “86” as slang for “get rid of” and “47” as a reference to Donald Trump, who is seeking election as the 47th president of the United States.

The Secret Service has taken the lead in examining the circumstances and intent of the post. Both the FBI and Department of Justice are closely monitoring the situation and may become more directly involved should the case escalate, officials indicated.

• The Instagram post was removed after sparking online debate.
• Some critics claimed it alluded to removing or harming a political figure, though no explicit threat was made.
• Comey has not publicly commented on the investigation as of yet.

Federal law enforcement routinely investigates statements or posts that could be construed as threats against present or prospective government leaders, regardless of the poster’s intent. The Secret Service is tasked specifically with protecting current and former presidents and investigating any perceived threats against them.

It remains unclear if Comey will face any criminal charges or disciplinary actions following the inquiry. The outcome may depend on how investigators interpret both the meaning and the intended audience of his post.

This meeting signals continued vigilance by security agencies amid an atmosphere of heightened political sensitivity, especially as the presidential campaign season intensifies.