James Comey meets Secret Service over controversial '86 47' Instagram Post

Former FBI director James Comey is now being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service after the agency reviewed a troubling Instagram post that some interpreted as a threat against President Donald Trump. The post included a collection of seashells arranged to show the numbers "86 47." Critics of the post contend that combining "86" - which is slang for carrying out a hit on someone - with "47," inferred to be Trump's presidency as he is the 47th president is alarming, and that the arrangement could be a threat against the president. Comey deleted the post and stated that the seashells arrangement had nothing to do with a violent meaning, and that the post was a political message.

The fallout from the Comey post has led to even wider political fallout, with the White House denouncing the Instagram post, and some in the government wanting to see some type of consequence for Comey. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated that Comey should "face the repercussions under the law by going to jail because he made a direct threat." The Secret Service investigation will try to determine whether Comey intended for the post to send a threat. The decision on any potential charges will ultimately fall on Attorney General Pam Bondi.

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James Comey under investigation after '86 47' post triggers Secret Service response and GOP condemnation

Comey had a meeting with the Secret Service in Washington, D.C. where he was filmed walking into a building that contained various government law enforcement agencies. The FBI, under the leadership of the new Director Kash Patel, has affirmed that they know about the "post" and will work with the Secret Service in a collaborative manner as they pursue their investigation. The incident has reopened a discussion about the roles that political rhetoric and public interest figures have in the age of social media.

The "86 47" incident has resulted in a legislative response. House members of the GOP put forth a resolution condemning Comey's "post." The resolution characterizes the "post" as out of bounds and risky, illuminating the need for accountability. The political reaction of lawmakers reflects how seriously they have taken the "post" and the increasing level of sensitivity regarding threats to public officials.

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Comey's controversial post sparks Secret Service probe and debate over Political accountability on social media

Public response to the incident has been divided, with some support for Comey's explanation and others suggesting the post was intended as a major provocation of the President of the U.S. This emphasizes the difficulties associated with interpreting messages on social media and reminds us of the consequences of ambiguous posts by actors of significance. As the investigation moves forward, it is unclear what legal or political ramifications may come from the incident.

To sum up, James Comey's Instagram post challenges the Secret Service, has drawn political condemnation, and escalated tensions between himself and President Trump. The responses to the post changes the tone of political communication regarding social media, especially the responsibility in public discourse regarding clarity. The incident is instructive to all political actors while the Secret Services perform their investigation. The results of the investigation could establish, or at minimum reproportion, roles of political accountability and boundaries of expression defined by agencies of the federal government.