James Comey, former FBI director and a frequent critic of Donald Trump, recently found himself in an unexpected controversy over a seemingly innocent Instagram photo.
What was meant to be just a quirky beachside snapshot quickly spiraled into a political firestorm, with accusations flying about a hidden, dangerous message aimed at the former president.
The Story Behind the Photo and the “86” Mystery
The picture featured shells arranged in a way that some claimed was code for “assassinate President Trump.”
But Comey quickly defended himself, revealing that the idea for the photo actually came from his wife.
She explained to him that the phrase “86” was restaurant slang — something she knew well from her time as a server — meaning to remove an item from the menu when it was out of stock.
Comey said on MSNBC with Nicole Wallace that he initially thought it might be a political signal, but his wife’s explanation about its culinary roots convinced him otherwise.
She encouraged him to snap the photo and post it on Instagram, which he did — without any thought that it would ignite such a backlash.
The Backlash and Accusations Fly
What followed was a storm of criticism. Some, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, went so far as to suggest Comey should be arrested or at least questioned by the Secret Service.
Dictionary definitions show “86” has also been used as slang for “to get rid of” or “to kill,” but experts note the violent meaning is very recent and rarely used.
Still, several Trump administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, insisted that Comey’s post was a veiled call for Trump’s assassination.
Comey himself dismissed these claims as “crazy.” Even so, he decided to delete the post to avoid any association with violence, no matter how unfounded the accusations were.
Comey’s Ongoing Tense Relationship With Trump
Comey’s public feud with Trump stretches back years.
Trump famously fired him as FBI director in 2017, right in the middle of an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Comey also reopened the Hillary Clinton email case days before the election — a move that frustrated many on both sides of the political aisle.
Despite all this, Comey described the Secret Service agents who interviewed him about the Instagram post as “total pros.”
He also reflected on how the Trump era has brought a lot of investigations and scrutiny his way, but this latest controversy is just another distraction from his life now as a crime novelist.
Trump’s Response and the Bigger Picture
Trump himself weighed in on the controversy, calling Comey a “child” and insisting the former FBI director knew exactly what the “86” meant.
Trump said during a Fox News interview that it was a clear message of assassination, though he declined to say what action should be taken.
Meanwhile, Comey shrugged off the accusations, saying they reflected poorly on the current administration’s leadership.
He pointed out that he opposed violence of any kind and removed the post as soon as he realized people connected it to violent meanings.
A History of Threats and Political Drama
The tension between Comey and Trump is layered with past incidents, including attempts on Trump’s life in 2024 and a deeply strained professional relationship.
Comey’s refusal to pledge personal loyalty to Trump and his eventual firing set the tone for years of public conflict and investigations.
Their story is intertwined with some of the most turbulent moments in recent American politics, making even a casual Instagram post a potential flashpoint.