FBI director says Comey’s ’86 47′ post sparked ‘copycat’ Trump death threats

FBI Director Kash Patel took to social media on Tuesday to condemn a former Coast Guard officer who was arrested for allegedly threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump. Patel claimed that the threats made by Peter Stinson were partly influenced by a controversial Instagram post shared by former FBI director James Comey earlier this year.

Stinson, who served in the Coast Guard for over two decades and held various roles including sharpshooter and FEMA instructor, is facing federal charges for making graphic threats against President Trump. Court documents reveal that Stinson made multiple references to the “86 47” message, which was originally posted by Comey on Instagram and later deleted.

The “86 47” message shared by Comey sparked backlash and led to interviews with the Secret Service. The post featured shells arranged in the sand with the numbers “86 47,” which Comey later explained was meant innocently and was associated with his wife’s time as a restaurant server. However, the post triggered a wave of copycat threats against the president, according to Patel.

Patel, who now holds Comey’s former position as FBI director, criticized Comey for his “destructive” Instagram post, which he believes contributed to the increase in threats against President Trump. Patel stated that the FBI had to divert resources to address the threats, taking agents away from critical initiatives aimed at protecting the American people.

Stinson, who is described as a “self-identified” member of Antifa, made threats against President Trump both before and after the controversial Instagram post by Comey. Court documents show that Stinson referenced the July 13 assassination attempt against Trump in one of his posts, suggesting that it was a missed opportunity for future agents to learn from.

In February, Stinson posted on his X account, stating, “Sure. This is war. Sides will be drawn. Antifa always wins in the end. Violence is inherently necessary.” His most recent post on BlueSky on June 11 indicated anticipation for a significant event following the president’s death.

The arrest of Stinson comes after a federal grand jury indicted another individual for threatening to assassinate President Trump after his reelection. The Justice Department takes these threats seriously and will prosecute such crimes to the fullest extent of the law, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.

It is unclear to what extent Stinson was influenced by Comey’s Instagram post, but Patel believes that the former FBI director’s actions played a role in inciting threats against the president. The case highlights the potential consequences of irresponsible social media behavior, especially when it involves public figures and sensitive political issues.