Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Thursday that former FBI Director James Comey should be jailed over a social media post widely interpreted as a threat against President Donald Trump.
During an appearance on Jesse Watters Primetime, Gabbard said she did not believe Comey’s explanation that he didn’t understand the implications of a photo he posted showing seashells arranged to display the numbers “86” and “47.”
“I’m very concerned for [Trump’s] life,” Gabbard said. “And James Comey, in my view, should be held accountable and put behind bars for this.”
Comey, who was fired by Trump in 2017, posted the now-deleted photo on Instagram earlier in the day with the caption, “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.” The post sparked outrage online, as many pointed out that “86” is often slang for killing someone, while “47” refers to Trump as the 47th president.
Comey later removed the post and issued a clarification: “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.”
Gabbard rejected that explanation and said Comey should face consequences regardless of intent. “Whatever James Comey’s intent, he and people like him need to be held to account according to the law,” she said. “The rule of law says people like him, who issue direct threats against the president of the United States — essentially issuing a call to assassinate him — must be held accountable under the law.”
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the agency is aware of the post and is cooperating with the Secret Service. “Primary jurisdiction is with [the Secret Service] on these matters,” Patel posted on X. “We, the FBI, will provide all necessary support.”
Comey has faced intense scrutiny for his past leadership of the FBI, and this latest incident comes amid heightened concern following two assassination attempts on Trump during the 2024 campaign. Gabbard noted that others have been prosecuted for threats and suggested Comey should be no exception.