James Comey Sparks Outrage with ‘Call to Assassinate’ Trump

President Donald Trump is calling foul—and sounding the alarm—after former FBI Director James Comey posted what many in Trump’s orbit view as a thinly veiled death threat.

The post, which appeared Thursday night on Comey’s Instagram, featured two seemingly innocent numbers spelled out in seashells on a beach: 86 and 47. But for Trump, and millions of his supporters, there was nothing innocent about it.

“That means ‘kill the 47th president.’ Everyone knows what 86 means,” Trump declared during an exclusive interview on Fox News. “He’s a dirty cop, and he knew exactly what he was doing. A child could figure it out.”

Comey, who Trump fired in 2017, quickly deleted the photo and offered a public apology. But the damage had already been done.

“He only apologized because he got caught,” Trump said. “He’s been bitter ever since we removed him. Now he’s turning to coded threats. It’s disgraceful.”

The term “86” has long been used in restaurant slang to mean “eliminate” or “get rid of.” But after two failed assassination attempts on President Trump during his 2024 campaign, the number has taken on chilling new meaning for the MAGA faithful.

Comey’s Excuse Falls Flat

After removing the controversial post, Comey wrote:

“I 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…”

Trump wasn’t buying it.

“You were the head of the FBI,” he snapped. “Don’t pretend you’re that naive. That message was loud and clear.”

Trump: “Let Pam Handle It”

Pressed by Fox anchor Bret Baier about what should happen next, Trump said he’s leaving accountability to his newly appointed Attorney General, Pam Bondi, who replaced Merrick Garland earlier this year.

“I don’t want to interfere. Pam and the others will look into it,” Trump said. “But I’ll say this—if he had a clean record, maybe you give him the benefit of the doubt. But he doesn’t. He’s a proven liar, a leaker, and now—he’s spreading coded threats.”

Bondi has yet to issue a formal statement, but sources inside the Justice Department confirm the incident is under review.

White House: ‘This Was Intentional’

Taylor Budowich, Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff, weighed in with a blistering statement on X:

“This is deeply concerning to all of us and is being taken seriously. American leadership has been restored, and peace is on the horizon. That has made the Deep State desperate and dangerous. Comey’s post is the most disturbing signal yet.”

Secret Service Responds

Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, confirmed the agency is “reviewing the circumstances surrounding the post” and has not ruled out further action.

Background: A Long, Bitter Feud

Trump fired Comey in 2017 while the FBI was investigating alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. The firing shocked Washington and set off years of legal and political turmoil.

Comey later released a memoir attacking Trump, prompting the president to brand him a “liar,” “leaker,” and “political hack.”

This latest scandal only deepens the bad blood—and raises new concerns about how far some in the anti-Trump establishment may go.

“We’ve restored law and order in this country,” Trump said. “But these people… they don’t stop. They don’t believe in elections. They believe in threats. And we’re not going to let them get away with it.”