James Comey calls Secret Service probe over beach photo ‘a distraction’
Comey meets with Secret Service over '86' post
Former FBI director James Comey has been contacted by the Secret Service after a post that referenced President Trump and the term '86'.
NEW YORK - Former FBI director James Comey is speaking out for the first time since a beach photo he posted to Instagram triggered online accusations—and a Secret Service interview—over its perceived message toward Donald Trump.
"It’s been a bit of a distraction, honestly," Comey said Monday night during a Barnes & Noble appearance on Manhattan’s Upper West Side to promote his new crime novel, FDR Drive.
What did Comey post, and why did it cause backlash?
The backstory:
The photo in question showed seashells arranged in the sand to resemble the numbers "86" and "47." Comey said he and his wife spotted the shells during a walk on the beach and thought the arrangement looked visually interesting.
While they debated whether the numbers were a coincidence, reference to a home address, or restaurant slang, Comey eventually posted the photo online. Later, he said, his wife noticed online comments suggesting the numbers could be interpreted as a coded call for violence—with "86" being slang for "kill" and "47" referring to Trump as the 47th president.
"If they’re saying that, I’m taking it down because I don’t want any part of violence," Comey said.
He removed the post shortly after—but not before it caught the attention of Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and FBI Director Kash Patel.
How did the Secret Service respond?
What they're saying:
Comey confirmed that the Secret Service contacted him Thursday and met with him in person Friday.
"They gave me a ride to their headquarters… It seems like a thing that I don’t fully understand and maybe it’ll go away now," he told the crowd.
FILE - Author James Comey, former FBI Director, speaks at the Barnes & Noble Upper West Side on May 19, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Trump, speaking Friday on Fox News, claimed Comey "knew exactly what that meant. A child knows what that meant." The former president called it an obvious message of assassination, a claim Comey firmly rejects.
What is Comey doing now?
What's next:
Comey’s appearance came amid the release of FDR Drive, his latest work of crime fiction. The book deals, ironically, with themes of how speech can be misinterpreted or incite violence—something he acknowledged with a note of weariness.
Since being fired by Trump in 2017, Comey has become a bestselling author of both nonfiction and fiction, with previous novels including Central Park West and Westport.
The Source: This article is based on Associated Press reporting from James Comey’s May 2025 public appearance in New York City, public statements from Comey and the Secret Service, and verified context from prior interviews and Comey’s official social media accounts. This story was reported from Los Angeles.