FBI Director Kash Patel has been forced to divert critical resources from fighting child sex predators and drug traffickers to investigate a wave of presidential threats sparked by former Director James Comey’s controversial “86 47” Instagram post.
Key Takeaways
- FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that Comey’s “86 47” post sparked numerous copycat threats against President Trump, forcing resources away from critical investigations.
- Comey’s Instagram post of seashells arranged as “86 47” was widely interpreted as suggesting removing Trump (the 47th president), though Comey claims it was innocuous.
- The Secret Service opened an investigation into Comey’s post, which he subsequently deleted while maintaining it was “totally innocent.”
- Comey had previously questioned Patel’s qualifications to lead the FBI, stating he has “literally nothing in his entire adult life that prepares him for this role.”
- The post has diverted FBI resources from investigations into child sex crimes, drug trafficking, and terrorism to address the increased threats.
Patel Reveals Impact of Comey’s Controversial Post
FBI Director Kash Patel has harshly criticized former Director James Comey for an Instagram post that has overwhelmed the agency with investigations into potential threats against President Donald Trump. During a recent Fox News appearance, Patel expressed frustration over the substantial redirection of resources required to address the surge in threats following Comey’s May 15 post featuring seashells arranged to form “86 47” – widely interpreted as a coded message suggesting Trump (the 47th president) should be “86ed” or eliminated.
“Do you know how many copycats we’ve had to investigate as a result of that beachside venture from the former director?” Patel asked during the interview. “Do you know how many agents I’ve had to take offline from chasing down child sex predators, fentanyl traffickers, terrorists… because everywhere across this country people are popping up on social media and think that a threat to the life of the president of the United States is a joke… and they can do it because [Comey] did it?” said Kash Patel, FBI Director.
Comey’s Explanation Meets Skepticism
Comey has consistently maintained that the post was innocent, claiming that he and his wife simply found the seashells arranged that way during a beach walk. According to Comey, his wife initially thought the numbers might represent an address, while he associated “86” with restaurant slang for removing something from the menu. The former FBI director has insisted he didn’t create the arrangement and later claimed ignorance of any threatening implications.
“My wife and I were walking on the beach, and saw those numbers in shells on the beach, Somebody else did it!” said James Comey, former FBI Director.
Despite Comey’s explanations, the post sparked immediate backlash from Trump allies who interpreted it as a call for violence against the president. The controversy intensified when Trump himself characterized the message as a clear assassination threat. The Secret Service subsequently opened an investigation, with Comey voluntarily appearing for an interview, though he stated he does not expect further action from the administration.
Ongoing Tension Between Patel and Comey
The controversy occurs against a backdrop of existing tension between the two FBI directors. Before Patel’s appointment, Comey publicly questioned his qualifications to lead the bureau during a CNN appearance. This criticism appears especially pointed given Comey’s own contentious history with President Trump, who fired him during his first term, and the stark contrast between their approaches to law enforcement priorities.
“Obviously, you start with the fact that the guy has literally nothing in his entire adult life that prepares him for this role. And so, that’s deeply concerning to start with,” said James Comey, former FBI Director.
Patel has made it clear that the distraction caused by Comey’s post has forced a significant redirection of FBI resources at a time when the agency faces numerous critical priorities. “That’s what I’m having to deal with every single day,” Patel stated, highlighting the real-world consequences of what many view as an irresponsible social media post by someone who should understand the implications of such messaging given his former position.
National Security Implications
While the FBI has not provided specific details on the exact number of increased threats since Comey’s post, Patel’s comments indicate the surge has been substantial enough to warrant a significant reallocation of agency resources. This situation raises serious questions about the responsibility former high-ranking officials have regarding their public communications, especially when those communications could be interpreted as threatening the president or encouraging others to do so.
The controversy underscores the heightened security concerns surrounding President Trump and the real consequences when public figures, particularly those with law enforcement backgrounds, make statements that could be perceived as threats. As the FBI continues addressing this influx of potential threats, critical investigations into child predators, drug trafficking, and terrorism remain understaffed – a situation Patel clearly finds both frustrating and unnecessary.
