Former Director of the FBI James Comey on Thursday took down an Instagram post of seashells spelling out the numbers “86 47” after Republicans claimed that it was a threat against President Donald Trump. The number 86 can often refer to getting rid of or tossing something out, while 47 corresponds to Trump’s current term in office as the 47th president. “Just James Comey causally calling for my dad to be murdered. This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!!” Donald Trump Jr. posted on social media. Comey – who emerged as a Trump critic after the president fired him early in his first term – denied that the picture was a call for violence. In explaining why he removed the post, Comey wrote on Instagram that he had “posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message.” “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,” he continued. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a social media post Thursday evening that DHS and the Secret Service are investigating an alleged threat made against Trump by Comey. “Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of @POTUSTrump,” she wrote. “DHS and Secret Service is investigating this threat and will respond appropriately.” A spokesperson for the Secret Service told CNN that the agency was aware of the social media posts but would not comment further on protective intelligence matters. “The Secret Service vigorously investigates anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “We take this responsibility very seriously and we are aware of the social media posts in question.” When reached for comment, Comey directed CNN to his Instagram post explaining the earlier picture’s removal. In another post online, current Director of the FBI Kash Patel wrote that he was aware of Comey’s post and would provide support to the Secret Service. “We are aware of the recent tweet by former FBI Director James Comey, directed at President Trump,” Patel wrote. “We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director (Sean) Curran. Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support.” Comey helmed the FBI during its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, as well as the Hillary Clinton email controversy, before he was fired by Trump in May 2017 – shortly after Trump started his first administration. He served in the position for over three years. The former FBI director has been heavily criticized by Republicans and Democrats for his investigations into Trump and Clinton and how he handled each in the public sphere. Neither investigation resulted in charges against the two politicians. Trump has long criticized the former director, calling him a “grandstander” and a “showboat” shortly after firing him in 2017. CNN’s Evan Perez contributed to this report.
Former FBI Director James Comey takes down Instagram post after conservative uproar
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"James Comey Removes Instagram Post After Claims of Threat Against Trump"
CNN
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TruthLens AI Summary
Former FBI Director James Comey faced backlash after posting an image on Instagram of seashells arranged to spell out the numbers "86 47," which some conservatives interpreted as a veiled threat against President Donald Trump. The number 86 is often associated with the idea of discarding something, while 47 corresponds to Trump's status as the 47th president. Donald Trump Jr. reacted strongly to Comey's post, characterizing it as a call for violence against his father. In response to the uproar, Comey removed the post and clarified that he had not intended to convey any violent message. He explained in his Instagram post that he simply shared a picture from a beach walk and was unaware that the numbers could be construed as threatening. Comey emphasized that he opposes violence of any kind, which motivated his decision to take the image down.
The controversy escalated as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Secret Service were investigating the situation, suggesting that Comey's post could be interpreted as a threat. Noem specifically accused Comey of calling for Trump's assassination, which he vehemently denied. A spokesperson for the Secret Service confirmed they were aware of the social media posts but refrained from further commenting on the matter. Current FBI Director Kash Patel also acknowledged Comey's post and stated that the FBI would provide necessary support to the Secret Service in their investigation. This incident adds to the long-standing tensions between Comey and Trump, stemming from Comey's role in the investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election and the Hillary Clinton email controversy, which have drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Comey was fired by Trump in May 2017, and their contentious relationship has continued to play out in the public eye ever since.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent incident involving former FBI Director James Comey and his Instagram post has sparked considerable debate and controversy, particularly among political circles. The post, which featured seashells arranged to form the numbers "86 47," was interpreted by some, particularly conservative figures, as a veiled threat against former President Donald Trump. This reaction highlights the intense polarization in American politics and the implications of social media on public discourse.
Public Reaction and Political Implications
The backlash from conservative commentators, including Donald Trump Jr., indicates that the post was seen as an attack on Trump's presidency. The claim that Comey was calling for violence, despite his denial, illustrates how political narratives can quickly escalate, especially in a highly charged environment. Comey's decision to remove the post reflects his awareness of the potential for misinterpretation and the serious nature of threats against public figures. The immediate involvement of the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service further underscores the gravity of the situation and the heightened sensitivity surrounding threats against politicians.
Media and Public Perception
The media's portrayal of this incident can shape public perception significantly. By framing Comey’s post as a possible threat, the coverage may reinforce existing narratives about the Democratic Party and its critics. The emphasis on Comey’s past with Trump, particularly his firing and subsequent criticism, could lead to a perception of ongoing political vendettas. The response from figures like Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggests that this incident may serve to rally conservative supporters by portraying Comey—and by extension, the Democratic Party—as reckless or dangerous.
Hidden Agendas and Distractions
This incident might also serve as a distraction from other pressing issues in the political landscape. Given the timing, it raises questions about whether there are underlying issues that political actors prefer to overshadow with sensational news. The potential for this story to dominate media cycles could divert attention from significant policy discussions or ongoing investigations that the public needs to be aware of.
Manipulative Aspects and Trustworthiness
The article presents a narrative that could be seen as manipulative, particularly in how it frames Comey’s actions and intentions. The language used by conservative commentators suggests an intentional effort to paint Comey in a negative light, potentially to undermine public confidence in him and the Democratic Party. The manipulation in this context lies in the interpretation of Comey’s innocent post as a serious threat, which could incite further division among the populace.
In conclusion, the reliability of this news article is questionable due to the framing of Comey's actions, the potential for political manipulation, and the motivations behind public reactions. The incident reflects broader themes of political division and the rapidity with which narratives can shift in today's media landscape.