Gabbard says Comey should be ‘put behind bars’ after ’86 47′ Instagram picture

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has made headlines by calling for ex-FBI Director James Comey to be “put behind bars” for a controversial Instagram post that some interpreted as a call to assassinate President Donald Trump.

The post in question featured a picture of seashells arranged in the numbers “86 47,” with Comey captioning the image, “Cool shell formation on my beach walk…” However, to some, the number “86” is a known symbol for getting rid of someone or something, while “47” is often used to refer to the 47th President of the United States.

Comey later deleted the post and claimed that he was unaware of the violent connotations associated with the numbers. He stated, “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.”

However, Gabbard was not convinced by Comey’s explanation and insisted that he should be held accountable for his actions. She emphasized that issuing direct threats against the president, even if unintentional, must be addressed according to the rule of law. Gabbard firmly stated, “The rule of law says people like him who issue direct threats against the POTUS, essentially issuing a call to assassinate him, must be held accountable under the law. I think he should be in jail.”

The national intelligence director expressed deep concern for President Trump’s safety, citing previous assassination attempts and the influence that figures like Comey hold over the public. She stressed the seriousness of the situation and reiterated her belief that Comey should face legal consequences for his actions.

Following Gabbard’s remarks, it was revealed that the Secret Service had launched an investigation into the incident and agents were sent to interview Comey. The White House also condemned Comey’s post, with Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich labeling it as “deeply concerning” and emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

Comey, who previously served as the FBI Director during Trump’s first term before being dismissed, declined to comment on the matter when contacted by Fox News Digital. The controversy surrounding his Instagram post has sparked debate and raised questions about the boundaries of free speech and the implications of social media posts by public figures.

In conclusion, the incident involving Comey’s Instagram post has ignited a firestorm of controversy and calls for accountability. As the investigation unfolds and public scrutiny intensifies, the debate over the limits of free speech and the responsibility of individuals in positions of influence continues to be a topic of discussion in the political arena.