Comey Under Fire for ‘8647’ Post: Investigation into Alleged Threats

James Comey is under investigation after posting ‘8647’ in seashells, seen by Trump allies as a violent threat against the president. Comey clarified the post was misinterpreted, while ‘eighty-six’ has a varied history, mostly unrelated to inciting violence. This incident raises questions about political language and context.

Former FBI Director James Comey is currently facing scrutiny after posting an image of seashells on a beach, spelling the sequence “8647.” He described the photograph on social media as a “cool shell formation on my beach walk” on May 15. However, this casual post stirred strong reactions from supporters of President Donald Trump, who interpret the use of “86” as a potential call for violence against the president.

Critics were quick to condemn Comey, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stating on X that he had seemingly called for Trump’s assassination. “Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of @POTUS Trump,” she said. This prompted an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service into what many consider a serious threat.

In response, Comey removed the photo, insisting he was not intending to incite violence against Trump. He clarified, “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.” His comments suggest a lack of awareness regarding the potential implications of the number he posted.

The term “eighty-six” has become part of the lexicon, with a history that many trace back to the restaurant industry, where it signified that a menu item was no longer available or an unruly customer needed to be removed. Linguist Ben Zimmer noted, “It originated from the restaurant industry, where ’86’ was used as a code to indicate that an item on the menu was not available, or alternatively, that a customer needed to be removed from the premises.”

Merriam-Webster cites that the slang began in the 1930s, suggesting the term had various anecdotal origins. Some speculate it relates to soup kitchens during the Great Depression, where a standard pot held only 85 servings, so the next needy person would be out of luck.

However, while “eighty-six” might have had its share of interpretations over the years, the implication of violence in its use is a relatively recent phenomenon according to experts. Similarly, both Merriam-Webster and other dictionaries have not included violence in their definitions of the term. As Zimmer mentioned, that violent connotation is mostly found in slang dictionaries instead.

Interestingly, Comey is not the only political figure to have used “eighty-six” in a somewhat controversial manner. In the past, former Rep. Matt Gaetz stated, “We’ve now 86’d: McCarthy, McDaniel, McConnell” referencing political losses among Republican figures. And in 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer drew criticism for having the numbers “8645” appear in the background during an interview.

The term has made its way into various political conversations over the years. A search for “8647” on platforms like Etsy reveals many products, often with anti-Trump sentiments. Meanwhile, “8646” items can also be found, often featuring terms like “patriotic” or “Impeach Biden.”

Concerning whether Comey’s post constituted a call to violence, PolitiFact consulted several retired FBI agents for perspective. Frank Figliuzzi remarked that he had never witnessed the term being used in such a context. Michael Tabman, another former agent, shared his doubts about Comey’s intentions, believing he merely expressed dissatisfaction rather than promoting violence.

However, Tabman noted the importance of caution in public discourse, suggesting that individuals, especially those in the political arena, should be aware of their words and how they may be interpreted. Bobby Chacon also emphasized that context matters when evaluating threats. “Public figures using these terms have to be cognizant of the current political climate, and the context that some of their followers may interpret from their comments,” Chacon said.

In summary, the controversy surrounding James Comey’s recent social media post highlights the complexities of language in politics, specifically with terms like “eighty-six” which have a long history but are now mired in new interpretations. While many experts believe Comey’s intentions were not violent, the implications and context in which political figures communicate are increasingly scrutinized in today’s climate. It underscores the need for careful choice of words, given the potential for misinterpretation and backlash.

Original Source: www.pbs.org