Former FBI director James Comey is once again facing legal trouble, and a brief social media post from last year has returned to the center of attention.

Comey, who has been a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, was indicted for a second time following an investigation tied to a now-deleted Instagram post from May 2025.

The image showed seashells arranged to form the number 8647, accompanied by a caption describing it as a “cool shell formation” spotted during a walk.

Post sparked backlash and investigation

The image quickly drew criticism from officials within the Trump administration, who argued it carried a hidden message aimed at the president.

At the time, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said federal authorities, including the Secret Service, would review the post and determine an appropriate response.

The scrutiny intensified months later after Trump publicly called for Comey to face criminal charges.

How the number was interpreted

Some critics linked the number to a phrase built around the slang term “86,” combined with Trump’s position as the 47th president.

In that interpretation, “86” is commonly understood to mean removing or getting rid of something, leading to claims that the sequence suggested “86 47.”

Comey has not publicly framed the image in that way, and the original post was later deleted.

Origins of the term ‘86’

The expression “86” has been used for decades in American slang, often in restaurant settings to indicate that an item is no longer available or that a customer should be refused service.

One explanation traces the phrase to a New York bar called Chumley’s, located at 86 Bedford Street, where staff allegedly used the term when removing disruptive patrons.

Another account suggests it became popular during Prohibition, when bartenders were warned to clear customers out before authorities arrived.

Linguistic references also point to its use in 1930s soda-counter slang, reinforcing its long-standing association with the idea of elimination or refusal.

As legal proceedings move forward, the meaning behind the number—and whether it carried intent beyond a casual beach photo—remains a central point of debate.