Did James Comey's Instagram Post '8647' Incite Violence Against Trump?

Allegations of Incitement

• 🎯 Former FBI Director James Comey is accused by Donald Trump's allies of calling for his assassination via an Instagram post featuring seashells that formed the numbers 8647.
• 📣 Donald Trump Jr. reposted the image, calling it a "demented" message and a call to murder his father.
• ⚠️ White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budawich stated the post could be interpreted as a "hit on the sitting President of the United States" and was taken seriously.

The Meaning of '86'

• 📚 The term '86' in slang, according to Merriam-Webster, means to throw out, get rid of, or refuse service.
• 💡 This slang originated in the 1930s service industry and has evolved to include meanings like to kill, murder, or execute judicially, a meaning found in slang dictionaries since 1978.
• 🗣️ The number has been used in political contexts, such as by Matt Gaetz and a conservative activist, with '46' or '47' often referring to presidents.

Comey's Defense and Investigation

• 🏖️ James Comey deleted the post after a few hours and stated it was an innocent vacation photo and he was unaware of any association with violence.
• 🕵️ The Secret Service questioned Comey about the post, with retired FBI agents expressing doubt that Comey used the term to incite political violence.
• 🗣️ Donald Trump dismissed Comey's explanation, stating that "a child knows what that meant" and that it signified assassination.

Official Response and Theories

• ⚖️ The Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security are investigating the matter to determine if any action is warranted.
• 📉 One theory suggests Comey might have been expressing dissatisfaction with the current administration, possibly referencing Trump's low popularity or impeachment.
• 🧐 The investigation will ultimately decide whether Comey's post was an incitement to violence or not.