FBI Deputy Director Bongino blasts James Comey’s ’86 47′ post Trump says meant ‘assassination’
Was it just a misunderstanding? Or something far more sinister?
The former head of the FBI is facing intense scrutiny over a cryptic social media post.
A Controversial Social Media Moment
Former FBI Director James Comey, who was famously dismissed by President Donald Trump in 2017, stirred a massive controversy online.
He posted a photo showing seashells arranged to form the numbers “86 47”.
While Comey later deleted the post, claiming it was misinterpreted, the damage was done.
The phrase “86” is widely understood slang, often meaning to “get rid of” or “terminate.”
Paired with “47,” it was quickly interpreted by many as a reference to the 47th president.
The current president, Donald Trump, is seeking to become the 47th president.
Trump’s Blunt Assessment
President Trump wasted no time in responding to the post.
Speaking on Fox News, he offered a stark interpretation.
He knew exactly what that meant. A child knows what that meant. If you’re the FBI director, and you don’t know what that meant, that meant ‘assassination,’ and it says it loud and clear.
Trump also referred to Comey as a “dirty cop” in the aftermath.
Comey’s explanation that he “didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence” and that it “never occurred to me” failed to quell the outrage for many.
Secret Service Steps In
The gravity of the situation led to an official investigation.
The U.S. Secret Service, tasked with protecting the President, has reportedly interviewed Comey about the incident.
Current FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the bureau is “in communication with the Secret Service and Director Curran.”
FBI Leadership Weighs In
Adding fuel to the fire, current FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino issued a powerful statement.
Bongino, a former NYPD officer and Secret Service agent appointed Deputy Director earlier this year, didn’t hold back.
His comments were posted on X, directly addressing the controversy.
Bongino highlighted the ongoing efforts by himself and Director Patel to reform the bureau.
He connected Comey’s latest actions to what he sees as a pattern of past failures.
The Deputy Director stressed the importance of the FBI supporting investigations into threats against public officials, even if they don’t have primary jurisdiction over threats to the President.
The Harsh Condemnation
And then came the most direct criticism from the FBI’s current second-in-command.
In his public statement, Bongino leveled a serious charge against his predecessor.
Former FBI Director James Comey brought shame to the FBI badge, yet again, this past week. The Director and I spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning up messes left behind by former Director Comey. And his latest actions are no exception.
Bongino serves alongside Director Kash Patel, part of an effort under the Trump administration aimed at restoring what they describe as accountability and integrity to the FBI.
According to Bongino, many of the necessary reforms stem directly from Comey’s tenure.
Sadly, many of those agenda items are the result of former Director Comey’s poor decision-making and atrocious leadership. And to those who doubt me, I assure you, when you see what the Director and I see from the inside, it’s even worse.
He concluded his statement with a message of support for law enforcement and America, emphasizing the ongoing work within the bureau.
This latest episode has once again put the spotlight squarely on the contentious relationship between President Trump, his former FBI Director, and the current leadership of the agency.