Former FBI Director James Comey’s future regarding his post, which many in the administration perceived as a subtle threat against Donald Trump, may rest in the hands of one of the president’s most loyal supporters, former Fox News host and judge Jeanine Pirro, whom he has recently appointed as the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.
Last week, Comey found himself in trouble after he shared a photograph of seashells arranged on a beach to depict the numbers “86 47,” where “86” is an old mob term for a “hit” and “47” is interpreted as referring to Trump, the 47th president.
“Cool shell formation on my beach walk,” Comey remarked in the post alongside the image of the shells.
Shortly after his Instagram post, Comey removed it and provided an explanation, stating that he believed the shells conveyed a “political message” but that he had never meant it as a threat to Trump.
“Earlier, I posted a picture of some shells I encountered during a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message,” he explained. “I was unaware that some individuals associate those numbers with violence. It never crossed my mind, but I am against violence of any kind, so I decided to take the post down.”
Despite this, Comey was visited and interrogated about the original post by the Secret Service late last week, although it remains uncertain whether any charges will be filed. Reports indicate that the meeting lasted approximately 70 minutes.
That being said, as Fox host Jesse Waters highlighted on Friday, the ultimate decision regarding whether to charge the former FBI director, who was dismissed by Trump early in his first term, will be made by Attorney General Pam Bondi. Should she decide to proceed with charges, it is likely that Pirro would be responsible for managing the prosecution.
The president himself commented on Comey’s post on Friday, stating to Fox anchor Bret Baier that he is convinced Comey was fully aware he was issuing a threat.
“He understood precisely what that implied. Even a child comprehends what that meant. If you are the FBI director and you are unaware of what that meant, it signified ‘assassination,’ and it is stated clearly,” Trump remarked.
FBI Director Kash Patel addressed the incident on X, emphasizing the seriousness with which the agency is approaching it.
“We are in contact with the Secret Service and Director Curran,” he stated. “The primary jurisdiction lies with the Secret Service on these issues, and we, the FBI, will extend all necessary assistance.”
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard expressed to Fox’s Watters on Friday her belief that Comey’s post constituted a threat that warrants imprisonment.
“Do you really believe that the former FBI Director was unaware of what ’86 Trump’ signifies?” host Jesse Watters inquired.
“Absolutely not, Jesse,” Gabbard responded. “That is an absurd and outrageous assertion to make, particularly in this context, but especially from someone who is the former Director of the FBI, a person who dedicated a significant portion of his career to prosecuting mobsters and gangsters, individuals who are familiar with and carry out the act of killing and utilize this specific terminology of 86.
“Comey himself acknowledged in his subsequent message that he recognized this as a political statement. The only reason he was aware of that, Jesse, is that just over a month ago, a group of anti-Trump, anti-Elon Musk demonstrators were spreading the use of this 86-47 slogan, which was a covert call to action to assassinate the sitting President of the United States,” she elaborated.
“When there are two attempts on the president’s life, and when individuals look up to figures like Comey, who have been lauded by MSNBC, the Democratic elite, and CNN as paragons of integrity, the law and order figure, the one who would speak the truth regardless of the repercussions, this is the individual who is calling for a hit on President Trump,” she remarked.
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