James Comey posts image of shell formation reading ‘8647’

James Comey’s “cool shell formation.” (James Comey/Instagram)

Ex-FBI Director James Comey posted an image on Instagram. The image was of shells on the beach formed to read “8647”. He commented, “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.” Comey got hammered on social media and even got the attention of U.S. government officials. Comey has since taken the post down claiming that he didn’t know that these numbers were associated with violence, and that he was opposed to violence.

From Fox News:

The Secret Service is investigating after ex-FBI Director James Comey posted an Instagram photo of seashells arranged to show the numbers “86 47,” a message White House officials swiftly condemned as an attempt to put out a “hit” against the 47th president.

Comey later deleted the post after online backlash from government officials, lawmakers and President Donald Trump’s son. Trump has faced two assassination attempts in the past year, one of which resulted in him being shot and a bystander being killed.

The post including the alleged “hit” showed the numbers in question etched into the sand at a beach using seashells. “Cool shell formation on my beach walk…,” Comey captioned the post Thursday.

While to some people the numbers may appear innocuous, “86” is frequently used as a call sign for murdering or getting rid of someone, while “47” has been interpreted as denoting the 47th president of the United States.

After backlash on social media over the post, including from at least one lawmaker who called for Comey to be arrested, the ex-FBI chief deleted the Instagram post and posted a message addressing it.

“I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message,” the subsequent post from Comey said. “I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.”

Shortly after Comey removed the post, Fox News Digital learned from a source in the Secret Service that the agency was aware of the matter and will be sending agents to investigate and interview Comey.

Additional Reading:

Schemmel, A. & Spunt, D. (2025, May 15). Ex-FBI chief Comey’s ’86 47′ social media post condemned by White House as attempt to put ‘hit’ on president. Fox News. Link.

Category: Donald Trump