President Donald Trump escalated his war of words with former FBI Director James Comey on Wednesday, asserting that Comey knew “full well” that the number “86” is slang for “kill him” in mob circles. The accusation came as Comey made his first court appearance after being indicted by the Department of Justice over a social media post that prosecutors say threatened Trump’s life.
The indictment, unsealed earlier this week, centers on a photo Comey posted last year showing seashells arranged on a beach to spell out “86 47.” Trump is the 47th president of the United States. The former FBI chief, a frequent target of Trump’s ire since being fired in 2017, faces two counts of threatening the president. Comey has pleaded not guilty and maintains the post was innocent.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social, wrote: “‘86’ is a mob term for ‘kill him.’ They say 86 him! 86 47 means ‘kill President Trump.’” He added, “James Comey, who is a Dirty Cop, one of the worst, knows this full well! EIGHT MILES OUT, SIX FEET DOWN!” Trump also questioned whether Comey lied to the FBI about the post.
Comey, who has denied any intent to threaten the president, removed the image after being told it could be interpreted as a threat. In a statement on Substack, he declared, “I’m still innocent, I’m still not afraid, and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary. So let’s go.”
The case has sparked debate over its legal basis. Some legal experts and even a prominent Trump ally have expressed skepticism. Representative Troy Nehls (R-Texas) called the prosecution “a stretch.” Law professor Jonathan Turley, in an op-ed for Fox News, argued the indictment was “facially unconstitutional absent some unknown new facts.” Critics have pointed to the case as an example of political retaliation, a theme explored in our analysis of GOP unease over the indictment.
The indictment comes in the wake of a third assassination attempt on Trump, this one at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday. A suspect with a manifesto targeting Trump and administration officials was arrested. Trump, when asked if the seashell post endangered his life, said, “Probably, I don’t know, you know, based on what I’m seeing out there, yeah.” He added that “people like Comey have created tremendous danger, I think, for politicians and others.”
Comey previously faced charges for false statements and obstruction related to 2020 congressional testimony about FBI leaks, but those charges were dismissed due to an unlawfully appointed prosecutor. Trump, undeterred, continues to label Comey a “dirty cop” and “crooked man.”
The legal battle is unfolding against a backdrop of heightened political tensions. As Trump pushes for prosecution, the DOJ’s case will test the boundaries of free speech and threat law. For now, both sides are digging in, with Comey vowing to fight and Trump demanding accountability.
