Comey Under Investigation for ‘8647’ Post Referencing Trump

Former FBI Director James Comey is under investigation after posting a seashell photo spelling “8647,” causing backlash from Donald Trump supporters who accused him of inciting violence. Comey clarified he intended no such message. The term “eighty-six” has deep roots in restaurant slang, often meaning to discard or remove. It has various political implications, and experts suggest it hasn’t traditionally incited violence.

Former FBI Director James Comey has found himself under investigation after posting a seemingly innocent photo of seashells that spelled out “8647.” On May 15, Comey described it as a “cool shell formation” from his beach walk, but the post ignited controversy among supporters of President Donald Trump, who interpreted it as a violent message aimed at the president.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem took to X to respond to the uproar, stating, “Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of @POTUS Trump…DHS and the Secret Service is investigating this threat.” Following backlash, Comey later deleted the post and clarified that he did not intend to incite violence. He remarked, “I didn’t realize some folks associated those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.”

The term “eighty-six” is rooted in the hospitality industry, often used to indicate an item that is sold out or a customer that needs to be removed. Ben Zimmer, a linguist and writer for The Atlantic, noted that the verb originated in the late 1940s related to discarding something. The Merriam-Webster dictionary traces the slang back to the 1930s.

There are competing theories about the origin of “86,” including one linked to soup kitchens in the Great Depression, where the 86th person would be left without food. Zimmer mentioned that while the term can imply violence, the association with killing is quite recent. In fact, major dictionaries typically do not include that context, which is mainly found in slang dictionaries.

In the political arena, Comey isn’t the first to use “86” in a contentious way. In a February post, Republican Matt Gaetz referenced it regarding notable party figures leaving their positions: “We’ve now 86’d: McCarthy, McDaniel, McConnell.” Similarly, Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer faced scrutiny in 2020 after a pin displaying “8645”—a nod to Trump as the 45th president—was spotted during an interview.

The terms “8646” and “8647” have gained traction within online marketplaces, often linked with anti-Trump sentiments. This illustrates a growing trend, as items featuring these numbers can be found readily on platforms like Etsy and Amazon, reflecting a divided political climate.

To gauge whether Comey’s post might have incited violence, PolitiFact consulted several retired FBI agents. Frank Figliuzzi, a former special agent, stated he hadn’t seen “86” used to provoke violence during his 25-year career. Similarly, Michael Tabman expressed skepticism about Comey’s intent, suggesting Comey was simply voicing dissatisfaction, not inciting violence.

Bobby Chacon emphasized the need to interpret threats within societal context, reminding us that public figures must be wary of how their words might be perceived amid a charged political atmosphere. Ultimately, while the term has a complex history, its contemporary use can vary widely in interpretation, especially among different political groups.

Original Source: www.pbs.org