The U.S. Secret Service is investigating former FBI Director James Comey after he allegedly called for violence against President Donald Trump, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on X. 'Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey has just called for the murder of President Trump. The Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service are investigating this threat and will respond appropriately.'
Comey posted a now-deleted Instagram photo of shells arranged in the sand to spell the numbers 8647. The number 86 is slang for removing something or someone, often used in restaurant contexts. Trump is the 47th U.S. president.
Figures from the right-wing MAGA movement, including Noem and Trump's son Donald Jr., interpreted this as a call to assassinate the president. Comey later clarified on X that he posted the image for its 'political message' and condemned violence.