Will James Comey Go to Jail Over Cryptic Post?

And while legal experts downplay the chances of prosecution, many on the right say it’s time for real accountability.

It all started with a photo. On Thursday, James Comey posted a picture of seashells arranged on a beach to form the number “8647.” Innocent? Not to supporters of President Donald Trump.

The number has a chilling double meaning: “86” is a well-known slang term for eliminating someone, and “47” clearly references Trump’s position as the 47th president. To many, that wasn’t subtle—it was a veiled death threat.

President Trump didn’t hold back during a Friday interview with Fox News.

“If you’re the former head of the FBI and you don’t know what that meant? That meant assassination,” Trump said. “He wasn’t very competent, but he knew what he was doing there.”

COMEY BACKPEDALS—BUT IS IT TOO LATE?

After intense backlash, Comey tried to walk it back, claiming he “assumed” the arrangement was political and that he “didn’t realize” some people linked the numbers to violence.

That excuse hasn’t satisfied many.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard didn’t mince words:

“I’m very concerned for the president’s life,” she told American Liberty Dispatch. “We’ve already seen assassination attempts. James Comey should be held accountable and put behind bars.”

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed those concerns on X:

“Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of @POTUS Trump.”

Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee joined the growing chorus:

“Would he like to explain what he means by this given the assassination attempts on President Trump?”

FBI Director Kash Patel said on X that his agency was “in communication with the Secret Service and Director [Sean] Curran. Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support.”

The linked connection of “8647” to Trump is that he’s the 47th president of the United States, and the term “86” generally signifies eliminating something or someone. It’s a term used in different connotations, including in the restaurant industry or the broader general meaning of banning or kicking someone out of a venue like a bar, club, casino, etc.

“I have been one of Comey’s long-standing critics,” George Washington University Law School professor Jonathan Turley told Newsweek. “However, I do not believe that this would be a viable criminal case.

“The term ’86’ is subject to a wide array of interpretations. Comey could argue a lack of intent to convey a violent message as opposed to a political rejection of Trump. That does not mean that the message cannot be legitimately criticized as reckless at a time of increasing political violence.”

Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani agreed, telling Newsweek that “86” if meant in a political context could simply mean impeaching Trump.

He also wondered where similar outrage was when conservatives had effigies of former President Joe Biden or consistently referred to him as “Let’s Go Brandon.” Individuals on social media make similar remarks daily and nothing happens, he added.

“It’s politics, it’s not the law,” Rahmani said. “Everyone’s up in arms like it’s a real threat. It’s not. Statutes can be struck down as applied if they are overbroad. I think that’s what would happen here.”

The First Amendment argument combined with a lack of intent for a specific crime—which must occur beyond a reasonable doubt, and be determined that way by a jury—sets such a high burden for a case ever coming forward and it requires more than probable cause, Rahmani added.

“Intent to harm is necessary and nothing in his post expresses any type of intent,” he said. “It’s a loser case and a judge would probably toss it. There’s seemingly no line between law and politics right now.”

The Secret Service and Homeland Security will investigate the matter and determine if action is warranted.