What does 8647 mean? James Comey, former FBI Director, deletes Instagram post after uproar

Donald Trump Jr, the son of President Donald Trump, alleged in a post on X that former FBI DirectorJames Comey has called for the murder of his father, the President of the United States of America.In an Instagram post earlier in the day, which is deleted now, Comey wrote “cool shell formation on my beach walk” under a picture of seashells that appeared to form the shapes for “86 47.”Trump Jr alleged that Comey was "causally calling for my dad to be murdered."Although there is no evidence that Comey's post implied a threat, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed that federal law enforcement is investigating a social media post made by Comey that she and other Republicans claim is a call for violence against President Donald Trump.“Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of POTUS Trump. DHS and Secret Service is investigating this threat and will respond appropriately,” Noem wrote on X.According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, 86 is a slang meaning “to throw out,” “to get rid of,” or “to refuse service to.” It notes: “Among the most recent senses adopted is a logical extension of the previous ones, with the meaning of ‘to kill.’ We do not enter this sense, due to its relative recency and sparseness of use.” According to Cassell's Dictionary of Slang, “86” has carried violent connotations in some contexts since the 1970s.Meanwhile, 47 may be a reference to the 47th President of the United States. This interpretation fueled speculation that “8647” implied a threat to “eliminate” Trump.Amid the backlash, Comey deleted the post and issued a public statement to clarify his intent.“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,” he wrote on Instagram.James Brien Comey Jr. is an American lawyer who was the seventh director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 2013 until his termination in May 2017. He was appointed to the role by President Barack Obama and served under President Donald Trump until his dismissal in May 2017.Comey was a registered Republican for most of his adult life, but in 2016, he stated he was unaffiliated.Early years:Born on December 14, 1960, in Yonkers, New York, Comey graduated from the College of William & Mary and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School. He began his legal career as a law clerk and later served as a prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, where he gained prominence for his work on organized crime cases. In 2003, he became Deputy Attorney General under President George W. Bush. During this time, he played a key role in preventing the reauthorization of a controversial domestic surveillance program.After leaving government service, Comey held positions in the private sector, including general counsel at Lockheed Martin and Bridgewater Associates. He returned to public life in 2013 when he was appointed FBI Director. His tenure was marked by significant events, including the investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server and the FBI's role in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election.Working under the Obama administration:In 2013, former US President Barack Obama nominated Comey to serve as the seventh Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in July 2013 and officially sworn in on September 4, 2013. During his tenure, Comey emphasized the importance of maintaining the FBI's independence from political forces and interests, a stance that was highlighted during his installation ceremony.Comey's appointment was notable because he had previously served in senior positions during the George W. Bush administration, including as Deputy Attorney General. Despite his Republican affiliations at the time, President Obama praised Comey for his "unyielding integrity" and his commitment to balancing national security with civil liberties.Life after the FBI:Since his dismissal from the FBI, Comey has authored several books, including his memoir A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership, which was later adapted into a television miniseries. He has also written novels and serves as a senior fellow at the Kettering Foundation, focusing on issues related to democracy and public service.Personal life:In 1987, Comey married Patrice Failor, whom he met during college. Together, they have five children: daughters Maurene, Claire, Kate, and Abby, and a son named Brien. Tragically, their son Collin passed away in infancy in 1995. The family has also been foster parents. Comey and his wife, along with his children, reside in Virginia, where he continues to engage in writing and public discourse.