In a rather tepid response, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi addressed the recent assassination threat posed by former FBI Director James Comey against President Trump. Guglielmi stated, “We vigorously investigate anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees. We are aware of the social media posts by the former FBI Director and we take rhetoric like this very seriously. Beyond that, we do not comment on protective intelligence matters,” he elaborated on platform X.
We vigorously investigate anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees. We are aware of the social media posts by the former FBI Director & we take rhetoric like this very seriously. Beyond that, we do not comment on protective intelligence matters. pic.twitter.com/uhYSB7GYvt
— Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) May 16, 2025
Let’s unpack that: James Comey – yes, the former FBI Director – has allegedly issued a threat against the sitting President of the United States. The uproar began following Comey’s enigmatic Instagram post featuring a shell formation that cryptically read “86 47.”
“Cool shell formation on my beach walk,” he innocently captioned, as if the seashells were merely an artistic expression rather than a veiled message.
Shortly after the backlash, Comey hastily deleted the post and issued a rather dubious clarification, saying, “I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message. 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.”
Comey’s narrative suggests that he just fortuitously stumbled upon this shell arrangement that eerily resembled an assassination message. It would be a remarkable coincidence if it weren’t so hard to believe.
In a dramatic turn of events, former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard called for Comey to be imprisoned. Meanwhile, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security have initiated an investigation into his social media activity.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed, “We are aware of the recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, directed at President Trump. We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director Curran. Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support.”
We are aware of the recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, directed at President Trump. We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director Curran. Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) May 15, 2025
A former Secret Service agent shared insights with RealClearPolitics, indicating that Comey has likely already faced an inquiry from the Secret Service. “Look, here’s the deal, they’re sending agents out, and they’re gonna talk to him, and he’s not gonna have a choice. He’s gonna have to talk to them, because this stuff about, well, I, you know, I found this on the beach. I didn’t know what it meant. None of that makes sense,” the agent remarked.
“These threat investigations are immediate,” he added. “There’s no delay in these types of investigations; they are going to see to speak to him as soon as possible.”
.@Charles__Marino, a former Secret Service agent and national security expert, tells me James Comey is “gonna have a very, very, very long night.” From his experience in the USSS, Marino predicts the Washington field offices for the USSS and the FBI have already been…
— Susan Crabtree (@susancrabtree) May 16, 2025
