Former FBI Director James Comey raised quite a stink last week when he tweeted a picture of his dog. Many have interpreted it as a threat against former President Donald Trump. The photograph featured seashells carefully arranged to form “8647.” It was accompanied by the caption, “Interesting shell formation on my beach walk.” Following backlash, Comey removed the post.
What made the incident garner significant media national attention was the number “86.” In restaurant lingo, it’s a term used to tell someone to get rid of or remove something. In recent times, it has been the cause of calls to violence. Now, critics are turning on Comey, charging that he sent a secret message and/or criterion for Trump. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff at the White House echoed that surprise expressed by Comey in response to Comey’s post. He called it “deeply concerning,” and warned that it could be interpreted as “a hit” on the sitting President.
“We are aware of the recent social media post by former FBI director [James Comey], directed at President Trump,” said Kash Patel, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
Even Comey seemed surprised at the uproar, and released this statement in response. He testified he simply was not aware of any possible implications involving the seashell layout. He emphasized his stance against violence, stating, “I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message.”
Tension has clearly colored Comey and Trump’s relationship from the very beginning. This strain started when Comey took the unusual step of investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Trump later went on to call Comey an “untruthful slime ball”—not long after firing him from his post as FBI director. Comey’s firing came just a few days after he refused to take Trump a loyalty oath in their private meeting. This denial only added to the growing hostility between them.
The seashell picture has proven to be just as incendiary with high-level office holders. Nationally, Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett is one of a growing number of people calling for Comey to go to prison over the incident. As the controversy takes place in real time, Trump is beginning his first international trip to the Middle East. Yet this recent development is heightening scrutiny both him and his challengers.