FBI’s Lill Redirects Resources to Probe Comey’s '86 47' Copycat Threats

FBI Director Kash Patel is grappling with a surge of "copycat" threats inspired by former FBI Director James Comey's cryptic "86 47" Instagram post, forcing the agency to divert critical resources. Patel revealed that agents tracking child predators, fentanyl traffickers, and terrorists are now being reassigned to investigate these social media threats targeting President Donald Trump, the 47th president.

The controversy stems from Comey’s now-deleted post, which showed seashells arranged to spell "86 47" on a beach, captioned as a "cool shell formation." Many interpreted it as a veiled call to "get rid of" Trump, prompting a Secret Service investigation. Comey, after backlash, claimed he was unaware of the violent connotations and removed the post, but President Trump dismissed the explanation, stating, "A child knows what that meant—it meant ‘assassination,’ loud and clear."

Patel expressed frustration, noting the FBI’s focus on public safety is being undermined by these distractions. "Every copycat threat pulls agents away from saving lives," an FBI official said, describing the number of incidents as "significant" but undisclosed due to ongoing probes. The ripple effect of Comey’s post has sparked debates about political rhetoric and its real-world consequences, with Patel urging a return to prioritizing national security over cleaning up after "political stunts."