Tulsi Gabbard Calls for Comey to Be Jailed Over ‘86 47’ Trump Post

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard didn’t hold back Thursday night, calling for former FBI Director James Comey to be thrown in jail over a social media post widely interpreted as a veiled threat to assassinate President Donald Trump.

Speaking on Fox News, Gabbard said she “absolutely” did not buy Comey’s excuse that he didn’t know what the numbers “86” and “47” arranged in seashells on a beach meant when he posted them to Instagram with the caption “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.”

“I’m very concerned for [Trump’s] life. And James Comey, in my view, should be held accountable and put behind bars for this,” Gabbard stated.

The number “86” is widely recognized slang for “kill”, and “47” is a reference to Trump as the 47th president. The implications weren’t lost on observers, especially given that Trump has already survived two assassination attempts in the last year.

“Whatever James Comey’s intent, he and people like him need to be held to account according to the law,” Gabbard added. “The rule of law says people like him, who issue direct threats against the president… must be held accountable.”

The backlash to Comey’s post was swift and bipartisan. After deleting the photo, Comey tried to claim ignorance:

“I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence,” he said. “I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.”

But few are buying it especially considering Comey’s long, public vendetta against Trump, whom he once investigated while leading the FBI. That investigation was later exposed as politically motivated and riddled with misconduct, with Comey himself referred for potential criminal charges over classified leaks.

Now, FBI Director Kash Patel Comey’s successor confirmed that the Bureau is reviewing the post:

“We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director Curran,” Patel wrote. “Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support.”

If an ordinary citizen posted “86 47” in connection with President Biden, the media and federal authorities would treat it as a national crisis. Indictments would follow, news coverage would be wall-to-wall, and Democrats would be calling for prosecution on the floor of Congress.

But when it’s James Comey — an entrenched D.C. operator with a history of targeting political opponents — the system hesitates. That double standard is exactly why Trump, Gabbard, and millions of Americans no longer trust our institutions.

This isn't free speech. It's not satire. It’s a thinly veiled call for violence, and it should be treated as such.

Comey’s pathetic excuse doesn’t cut it. A man who ran the FBI surely knows what “86” means. And if he doesn't, he’s either lying — or too incompetent to be posting political messages online. Either way, accountability must follow.

As Gabbard made clear, the law should apply regardless of party, power, or platform. There is no room for veiled assassination threats especially not from former federal officials.

Share this with someone who thinks threats against a president are never okay no matter who’s in office. Subscribe to our newsletter now for more updates they’ll never show you on CNN.