What Happened
James Comey posted a photo of seashells arranged to spell '8647' on Instagram in May 2025, calling it a 'cool shell formation.' Trump administration officials interpreted this as '86 47' — slang for getting rid of the 47th president. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered DHS and Secret Service investigations, leading to Comey's second indictment.
Why You Should Care
A former FBI director is facing criminal charges for what might be the most passive-aggressive Instagram post in political history.
📚 The Basics
An indictment is a formal accusation that someone has committed a crime. It's the first step in a criminal prosecution, and it's based on a grand jury's decision that there's enough evidence to bring charges. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a U.S. government agency responsible for public security. The Secret Service is a federal agency tasked with protecting U.S. leaders.
🧠 Look Smart At Dinner
Say This
The craziest part is Comey could've just posted a sunset photo like every other boomer, but instead chose to communicate in restaurant slang from the 1930s.
Context
'86' comes from Prohibition-era bartenders who would call ahead to warn other bars to refuse service to troublemakers.
Avoid Saying
Don't say 'it's just seashells' — federal prosecutors clearly think arranging beach debris can constitute a threat.
The Approved Opinion™
“While creative expression is important, public officials should be mindful that their social media posts can be misinterpreted and should communicate clearly.”
