The US Secret Service has started an investigation into the former FBI chief James Comey as he has been accused of making a “death threat” against Donald Trump.
Comey posted on Instagram a picture showing seashells spelling out “8647” which has been seen as “potential threat” to the 47th US President.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said, “We vigorously investigate anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees.”
In a statement the Secret Service said they “take rhetoric like this very seriously” and will not tolerate threats to a US President.
“He knew exactly what that meant. A child knows what that meant,” Trump told Fox News host.
“If you’re the FBI director and you don’t know what that meant, that meant ‘assassination.’ It says that loud and clear.”
The number’s 86 means in hospitality to remove, scrap and to kill someone, whilst the numbers 47 has been interpreted as Trump being the 47th US President, which has been seen as a direct threat the American leader as he is touring the Middle East.
White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich wrote on X, “While President Trump is currently on an international trip to the Middle East, the former FBI Director puts out what can clearly be interpreted as ‘a hit’ on the sitting President of the United States — a message etched in the sand.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, “DHS and Secret Service are investigating this threat and will respond appropriately.”
Comey said in response on social media, “I didn’t realise 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.”
Current FBI Director Kash Patel said they are “aware of the recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, directed at President Trump.”
Patel added, “We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director Curran.
“Primary jurisdiction is with SS [Secret Service] on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support.”
Intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard called it “a veiled call to action to murder the sitting president of the United States,” and said Comey should be sent to prison immediately.
“James Comey should be held accountable and put behind bars for this,” Gabbard told Fox News
