Did Comey really want Trump assassinated?
Former FBI Director James Comey grabbed headlines when he posted on social media a grouping of seashells with four numbers – 8647. In doing so, Comey brought to the fore a coded message that had been circulating among the more extreme anti-Trump crowd. The message essentially is “get rid of President Trump.” In its darkest interpretation, it intimates assassination.
The message has two components. The “86” has long been slang for “dispose of.” It is said to have originated in soda fountains in the 1930s and was used to indicate that an item was sold out. It later evolved to mean “to remove or get rid of.”
(The use of “86” was an inside joke in the television series “Get Smart.” Maxwell Smart– the character played by Don Adams – was designated as Agent 86 – a guy everyone wanted to get rid of.)
In recent times, the “47” was added – a reference to Donald Trump as the 47th President. The 8647 was more recently picked up by social media. The message essentially is “get rid of President Trump.”
As soon as the feces hit the fan, Comey took his social media post down. He admitted that he thought the seashells in the sand were a “political message” but was not aware of the violent implication.
That is a pretty thin excuse. He sees the shells in the sand … takes a photograph … believes it is a “political message” … posts it on his Instagram account. What did Comey believe was the “political message”? Did he understand the reference to Trump? If he did not know what it meant, why did he not do a little research and educate himself? Would he really have posted the photo on social media if he really was clueless as to what it meant?
His entire explanation sounds like the actions of some anti-Trump nutcase who got caught peddling violence on the Internet. The anonymous types who were already spreading the coded message. Unfortunately, Comey’s publicizing the code has given it much wider circulation – raising the subject of assassination to a new height.
Comey has a documented history of animosity toward Trump – and for employing improper means to get at him. He gave credence to the phony Steele Dossier – and used it unvetted to misinform an FISA court in order to get permission to eavesdrop on the presidential campaign. In order to force the appointment of a Special Counsel to undertake an investigation of Trump — which proved the accusations to be baseless – Comey leaked sensitive information to the media. That was a violation of ethics, FBI policy and likely the law.
The question is: What should be done now? The Justice Department has launched an investigation – as it should. Anyone posting anything on social media that can be viewed as a threat to the President of the United States naturally attracts FBI and DOJ responses. It goes along with the admonition, “if you see something, say something.”
Does anyone believe that Comey was calling for Trump’s assassination? Probably not – at least not overtly. But the 8647 code IS a call for action – and with Trump having almost four years left of his last term, there are very few excusable options for “getting rid” of him other than assassination.
Moreover, Comey’s posting of that message could motivate a serious nutcase, who might be willing to take lethal action to get rid of Trump. There have already been two attempts on Trump’s life by nutcase shooters who were motivated by beliefs that Trump was a danger to the Republic. A man who needed to be stopped. Those two shooters were responding to all the reckless and dishonest political rhetoric from Democrats and the radical left media.
At best, Comey was reckless and irresponsible — and he had every reason to know that. Given his professional history with the FBI, Comey had to know the danger of inciting a nutcase with reckless suggestions based on false accusations. He just did not care – and that puts him on the edge of promoting violence against the President.
Should Comey be charged with making a threat against the President – as any John Q. Citizen might be? If he is charged, the left will go bonkers – claiming that it is the action of an authoritarian President in search of revenge. On the other hand, if he is not charged, we are seeing yet another case of those on the left being above the law. That has been the American legal tradition for generations.
It is a close call. As a First Amendment extremist, I am inclined to view what Comey did – and reprehensible as it may be – as merely an exercise of his right to free speech. We tend to make exceptions, however, when the speech is dangerous and can produce harm — such as inciting a riot or falsely yelling “fire” in a crowded theatre – as Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes noted.
I suppose the best course of action is to do with Comey what the FBI and the Justice Department would do – and have done – in other cases. That would give at least some credibility that the rule-of-law has some meaning.
So, there ‘tis.
Has any PBP writer NOT covered the Comey story? You boys can dish it out, but geez Louise, you get all weepy whining when someone comes at you. It was sea shells boys, not written in blood.
B. Sheridan thinks “Comey had posted a picture Thursday of seashells formed in the shape of “86 47” — a message that could be interpreted as “eliminating” him, since he’s the 47th president.” Could be? Or is Bill just a big pussy? And has 86 ever meant eliminate, as in off the face of the Earth, ever? Has anyone been harmed by this statement? Got proof for that definition?
From The Dumpster, an even more critical view: “Former FBI Director James Comey took his hatred of President Trump to a new low by posting a cryptic message on his Instagram implying that Trump needed to be assassinated.” Man’s got needs all right. Just look in The Dumpster to see the lowest of the lows with many a cryptic call for violence. And the only thing cryptic about Comey’s message is the earworm it’s causing in your brains.
The old pol, of course, leads with his traditional wide-open, never fully answered query: “Did Comey really want Trump assassinated” which, of course, he answers himself: “ In its darkest interpretation, it intimates assassination,” a masterful turn of a phrase from the wizard of weasel wordings once again defining the “wants” of others by peering into the souls of his fellow man. “It intimates assassination?” WTF does that even mean? Comey in a negligee, lipstick, and an AK47? (FYI AK47 does not mean anything about the President, it’s the name of a gun).
What a bunch of pansy snowflakes who can dish out the braggadocio and then some, but can they take a little on themselves —— oh no, Katy, bar the door, the sky is falling, the sky is falling. Hell, I’ve had greater calls to violence on PBP. Most recently a call to send me to El Salvador. Deport all liberals is a frequent call for peace around here. A piece of me at least. People of PBP are cheering Biden’s fight against death. And they are on the grim reapers side. Sorry, but you fucks don’t have a leg to stand on. Even if you didn’t do that yourselves on PBP, you just sit back, enable it, and enjoy it.
Comey himself was asked, he answered, he explained, he took the message down, he explained again, the Secret Service spent an entire hour with him, he was asked, he explained, the message is down, they left.
As to the history of the term, no one knows. And no one knows if anyone called to be 86’d has been murdered, assassinated, or even roughed up a bit as Trump has requested at many a rally just for mouthing off. But for history, buffs — George knows it all: * https://www.stlmag.com/dining/Ask-George-Where-Does-the-Term-86d-Come-From/* And there ain’t no assassination, murder, not even bad boo-boo’s called for.
But now it’s Trump and suddenly it’s possibly assassination. Oh my, you can dish it out, but oh so tender that you can’t take even a little bit.
Trump was calm, cool, and collected when he responded: “Our country has become respected again and all this, and he’s calling for the assassination of the president. If he had a clean history, I could, I could understand if there was a leniency, but Comey dirty is a dirty cop.” Judge, jury, confused as usual, but always gets someone else to do his dirty work.
Trump Jr. said it in plain speak that “Comey was casually calling for my dad to be murdered.” Well, thank God he was not formal. Was it bus-cas or weekend casual? And could you spell it right, you have enough money for editors.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino posted on X, accusing Comey of “a plea to bad actors/terrorists to assassinate the POTUS’ while traveling internationally” even if Trump was boarding AF1 about the time Comey posted…..
Rocket scientist Gabbard, Trump’s DNI told FOX, “James Comey in my view should be held accountable and put behind bars for this.” Wow, like remanded without bail? Guess she’s got to put it out there after getting caught lying on intelligence reports to make Trump better.
Mike, “I ain’t got no” Johnson jumped on the bandwagon spewing, “President Trump has already survived TWO assassination attempts. Now, former disgraced FBI director James Comey is either threatening to kill Donald Trump or suggesting someone should. This is as outrageous as it is dangerous.” Really, no johnson Johnson says it definitely means assassination and it’s only outrageous and dangerous? Talk about a Chamberlain.
Last year, former Rep. Matt Gaetz wrote on X that he and MAGA Republicans had successfully “86’d” former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, former Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel, and former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell from the GOP. No one dead yet, they’re just sleeping.
In a 2020 post, Pizzagate influencer Jack Posobiec wrote “8646” — a reference to President Joe Biden — on social media. He travels with Team Trump often and Trump pumps him up, reposts him, on social media all the time. No one talked assassination attempt.
Comey, of course, denies this, and one would think if assassination was his intent that he’s smarter than this. He said all that needs to be said: “We live in a reality-based world where people, if they’re going to make accusations, have to make them in front of judges, have to put evidence forward, have to swear that things are true. I believe in our judiciary.”
So, bring it on, do it. Take him to court. He can’t wait. Have the balls to live up to your comments and convictions. Because I am pretty sure who got the most death threats over this little Donnybrook. It weren’t Don. And Donny 2 Dolls got what he loves from the story: makes for great TV. And multiple boring stories on PBP.
Next scandal.
It just proves to the World that Comey is still seething with hatred for the President who fired him and exposed his highly corrupted FBI.
Larry, I realize you don’t for whatever reasons respond to comments. Your silence is like my Republican congressman’s lack of responses when my wife and I individually write him. The best he has done is a boilerplate news letter sent by staff.
On your story to do with Comey and the conspiracy theory conjured up from no more than saying She sells sea shells by the seashore. The lengths to which gullibility can be stretched on the right is not surprising. Look only to Trump and see how his antics are mistaken for intelligent policy making and smart deals won with superior diplomacy.
Larry, you appear to have lost your edge and sharp tongued criticism of whatever even smells to you that it is coming from the left.
Comey is a soft target these days.You can do with subjects that offer some meat for the reader.
Defense of Trump accepting a luxury jetliner, his signing personally lucrative land project deals, and his gala dinner given to 220 of his best customers purchasing his personal meme crypto coin. Minimum buy-in to qualify for an audience with Trump and dinner was reportedly 1,5 Million USD.
Proceeds of the coin sale go directly to Trump through his enterprises
You are talking through your hat, once more.
Oh, I forget, what your comments essentially amount to is your own opinion. These may not be shared by others at PBP, But, like Trump’s hold on those who work for him is by the neck and strong. So, is yours on the each writer’s neck who post on PBP for loyalty is paramount and freedom of speech happens to be Woke. Everybody knows freedom of speech, like freedom of religion, freedom of protest, freedom to gather, freedom of the press, the right of due process, are all now decided on a case by case basis. Those who are white, wealthy to 7 digits, connected to the right people, and donate heavily to Republican causes
Comey does not predict someone’s future with seashells on the beach that form an array of numbers which are misread to mean something sinister.
Hey, you on the right, you are grabbing at the air. Stop, look around, there is a democracy and our country on the brink of destruction. 66% of Americans are unhappy with Trump and his unorthodox means as President.
Larry thinks Trump is Tops. The truth is Trump is nuts.
This is the guy who ALLOWED AN ARMED SHOOTER ON A ROOF TO TAKE SHOTS AT TRUMP TO GET RID OF HIM!
Although he is not alone, this guy should be talking to his cellmate about the weather.
Garland could chime in from the cell next to them!
Biden or who ever was actually running the White House at that time ran the most
Crooked ( In the open ) presidency in history.
I can not say BUSH or CLINTON were any more honest, just not as Blatant!
Just follow the STINK! It all blows from OBAMA!
Comey was fired in 2017.
Trump replaced him with Wray, a Republican, in 2017 and he was serving Biden in 2024.
You can bet the Secret Service protecting Trump that day were hand-selected and vetted by Trump. As in the guys closest to the candidate who could surveil all danger points from the source. The report from the House, headed by Kelly R-PA, is here: *https://taskforce-kelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/final-report-task-force-concludes-its-investigation-releases-report* There is no mention of Comey.
What corruption have you ever proved against Biden? Greene tried to impeach: nada. Comer/Jordan spent millions for over four years: nada. Ukraine-gate, zip. Afghan-gate-nothing burger. And now as he fights prostrate cancer, are you guys really going for the dementia angle……again?
Yet the Felon King can release 1,500 convicted criminals, 400 of who beat cops, many with weapons, and a dozen attempted seditious conspiracy against Congress, and eh…..he’s law and odor all right.
Show us the corruption. As adjudicated in court or Congress. Or STFU with this stupid repetitive trash talk.