Former FBI Director's '86 47' post stirs up the US: Assassination implication or coincidence?

Former FBI Director James B. Comey posted a photo on his Instagram account last Thursday featuring the numbers '86 47' written in the sand with seashells. This post quickly sparked major controversy. On social media and in some media outlets, interpretations were made that these numbers contained a call for the assassination of Donald Trump.

Following the growing backlash, Comey deleted his post and issued a statement, saying, "I hadn't realized that some people associate these numbers with violence. Such a meaning did not cross my mind, but I am against all forms of violence. For this reason, I removed the post."

SECRET SERVICE QUESTIONED COMEY

Before the controversy could die down, the US Secret Service took action on Friday. Comey was taken in for questioning in Washington as part of a probe into a "potential threat against the president." The interrogation lasted until late at night. The former FBI director returned home after the proceedings.

While no official charges have been brought by authorities, it was stated that the Secret Service questioned Comey in order to "evaluate every possibility."

WHAT DOES 86 47 MEAN?

The phrase "86 47," which caused controversy in the US public, has two different meanings:

The number "86" has long been used in American slang to mean "to get rid of," "to eliminate," or in plain terms, "to kill." This term was particularly common in mafia jargon in earlier periods.

"47" refers to the 47th President of the United States. According to the current US ranking, the 47th president is Donald Trump.

The combination of these two numbers was interpreted by social media users as a "call for the assassination of Trump."

SHARP REACTION FROM TRUMP AND GABBARD

US President Donald Trump, in an interview with Fox News, claimed that James Comey's post was an open threat against him. Trump reacted sharply, saying, "This person wants me killed. How else can it be interpreted?"

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also argued in her statement on Fox News that Comey should be jailed. Gabbard said, "There must be a price for these kinds of messages."

Comey's supporters and some opposition circles, however, argued that the incident was blown out of proportion. They claimed that the Trump administration was looking for an opportunity to target Comey and was using this post as a tool of pressure. Some legal experts stated that the numbers in the post could not be considered a direct threat.

TRUMP HAD DISMISSED HIM

Trump had dismissed James Comey, who was serving as FBI Director, in May 2017. At the time, Comey was investigating potential links between Trump's campaign team and Russia in the 2016 presidential election.

News Source: 12punto