Secret Service Grills Comey After Donald Trump Calls Out ‘8647’ Post

Former FBI Director James Comey was interviewed by the U.S. Secret Service on Friday after President Donald Trump accused him of suggesting assassination through a cryptic Instagram post.

The interview took place at the Secret Service’s Washington field office, according to a federal law enforcement source who confirmed the meeting to The New York Post.

CNN also aired footage showing Comey, 64, leaving his residence in suburban Virginia en route to the interview.

BREAKING Watch as the United States Secret Service personally escorts Comey to the DC Office

DEMOCRATS ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW

LOCK HIM UP pic.twitter.com/xWfXI3ZrtU

— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) May 17, 2025

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The controversy began Thursday evening when Comey posted a photo to his Instagram account showing seashells arranged in the numbers “8647” with the caption, “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.”

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The post drew immediate attention for its potential implications.

In the restaurant industry, “86” is widely understood as slang for eliminating or getting rid of something.

Trump, currently serving as the 47th president of the United States, is often referred to by the number “47.”

The combination of the two numbers — “8647” — was interpreted by many, including Trump, as a veiled threat.

“He knew exactly what that meant,” President Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier in an interview recorded Thursday for Special Report.

“A child knows what that meant … That meant ‘assassination.’”

@POTUS on former FBI Director James Comey’s “86 47” threat: “He knew exactly what that meant. A child knows what that meant … That meant ‘assassination.’” pic.twitter.com/LfOHKfSOFa

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 16, 2025

The backlash to Comey’s post prompted swift criticism and questions about intent, leading to the Secret Service’s decision to question the former FBI director.

Comey, who served as FBI director from 2013 until his dismissal by President Trump in May 2017, took down the post after the controversy escalated.

In a statement following the removal, Comey said he had not intended any harm and claimed he was unaware of the interpretation associated with the numbers.

“It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down,” Comey stated.

The post and subsequent interview have reignited scrutiny over political rhetoric and coded messaging from high-profile officials, particularly those who previously held senior law enforcement positions.

Comey has been a vocal critic of President Trump since his dismissal in 2017. His tenure at the FBI and subsequent public statements have made him a polarizing figure in national politics.

The social media post added to that scrutiny, especially as the Secret Service routinely investigates any communication that could be construed as a threat to the President of the United States.

As of Friday evening, there has been no indication from the Secret Service that formal charges or further legal action will follow the interview.

The agency has not issued a public statement on the matter.

The incident comes as Trump continues to emphasize law and order as a central theme of his administration’s agenda, and amid ongoing calls for accountability regarding political rhetoric in the digital age.

Comey has not commented further since his initial statement explaining the removal of the Instagram post.

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