The Secret Service is investigating after ex-FBI Director James Comey posted an Instagram photo of seashells arranged to show the numbers "86 47," a message condemned by some as a coded message for 'a hit' on the president. (Getty Images/Fox News)
Shortly after posting the image, Comey took it down and subsequently put up a separate post acknowledging the matter.
"I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message," Comey said in his subsequent post. "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."
FBI Director Kash Patel, joined at right by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, answers questions as the Senate Intelligence Committee holds its worldwide threats hearing on Tuesday, March 25. (AP/J. Scott Applewhite)
Comey's Thursday Instagram post was roundly criticized, including by the president, for working to stoke political violence.
"There is no doubt that James Comey hated Donald Trump," Ted Cruz said. "There is also no doubt that the extreme rhetoric from the left contributes to an atmosphere of violence."
"If a right-winger posted this against a leftist, all hell would break loose. But because it’s James Comey—the man who weaponized the FBI against President Trump—the left is silent," Tennessee Republican Rep. Andy Ogles said. "That’s unacceptable. The Left invented the term ‘stochastic terrorism’ to go after conservatives anytime they voiced a strong opinion."
The ex-FBI chief appears to have a propensity to post his political leanings on social media. An Instagram post, as recently as March 31, included an animated image stating, "TRANS PEOPLE BELONG," while in February Comey posted "a message from my former colleagues" that could be considered to be aimed at Republicans and President Trump.
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"Know that these people – some evil, most just followers too weak to stand up – will fade, but the need for your work will remain," the post said in part. "Don't let the darkness of bad people steal the joy of public service," it added.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/flashback-comey-had-another-anti-trump-seashell-photo-moment-during-2024-election