James Comey investigated over seashell photograph claimed to be ‘menace’ in opposition to Trump | James Comey

A photograph of seashells posted on Instagram by the previous FBI director James Comey is now being investigated by the US Secret Service, after the US homeland safety secretary Kristi Noem stated it constituted a “menace” in opposition to Donald Trump.

On Thursday, Comey posted a photograph of seashells forming the message “8647”, with a caption that learn: “Cool shell formation on my seashore stroll.”

Trump’s supporters have interpreted the message as an endorsement of violence in opposition to Trump – the forty seventh president. There’s extra debate round the usage of 86, a slang time period typically utilized in eating places to imply eliminating or throwing one thing out, and which, based on Merriam-Webster, has been used extra not too long ago, albeit sparingly, to imply “to kill”.

Comey later took down his submit, saying in an announcement that he was unaware of the seashells’ potential which means and saying that he doesn’t condone violence of any variety.

“I posted earlier an image of some shells I noticed right this moment on a seashore stroll, which I assumed have been a political message,” Comey stated in an announcement. “I didn’t notice some of us affiliate these numbers with violence. It by no means occurred to me, however I oppose violence of any variety so I took the submit down.”

A spokesperson for the Secret Service confirmed the company was “conscious of the incident” and stated it will “vigorously examine” any potential menace, however didn’t supply additional particulars.

The submit ignited a firestorm on the suitable, with Trump loyalists accusing the previous FBI director of calling for the president’s assassination. Trump survived an try on his life at a marketing campaign occasion in Pennsylvania final yr.

“Disgraced former FBI director James Comey simply referred to as for the assassination of POTUS Trump,” Noem wrote on X. “DHS and Secret Service is investigating this menace and can reply appropriately.”

Comey and Trump have a deeply antagonistic relationship that stretches again to the early days of the primary Trump administration when, based on Comey, Trump sought to safe a pledge of loyalty from the then FBI director, who refused.

In a transfer that shocked Washington, Trump dismissed Comey, who was main the legal investigation into Russian meddling within the US election. Comey later wrote a memoir that recounted the episode, prompting Trump to declare him an “untruthful slime ball”.

Comey has remained a Maga world bête noire, drawing rightwing ire at any time when he steps into the political fray.

Allies of the president have been swift to sentence Comey on Thursday. “We’re conscious of the current social media submit by former FBI director James Comey, directed at President Trump,” Kash Patel, the FBI director, wrote on X, including: “We, the FBI, will present all mandatory assist.”

Taylor Budowich, the White Home deputy chief of employees, additionally responded by calling the photograph “deeply regarding” and accused Comey of placing out “what can clearly be interpreted as ‘successful’ on the sitting President of the US”.

Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett, a staunch Trump supporter, referred to as for Comey to be jailed. “Arrest Comey,” he wrote on X.