The U.S. Secret Service questioned former FBI Director James Comey on Friday following a controversial Instagram post that sparked accusations of promoting violence against President Donald Trump.

Comey shared a photo displaying the number “8647,” which some, including Trump, interpreted as a veiled threat, prompting a federal response and public scrutiny of the former law enforcement official’s intent, as the New York Post reports.

The former FBI chief was seen departing his home in suburban Virginia Friday evening en route to the Secret Service’s Washington, D.C., field office. According to federal sources, he arrived shortly before 6 p.m. and participated in a formal interview regarding the post. The meeting followed public backlash over an image he posted the previous night on Instagram.

The photo, featuring carefully positioned seashells forming the number “8647,” was captioned by Comey with, “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.” However, the combination of numbers was considered alarming by some viewers. In particular, “86” is widely known in restaurant vernacular as slang for “to eliminate,” and Trump is the 47th president.

The timing and the interpretation of the number sequence triggered an alarm within several political and law enforcement circles. Among the most vocal was President Trump himself, who, during a Fox News interview, accused Comey of knowingly suggesting a violent message.

Concerns grow over post's symbolism

“He knew exactly what that meant,” Trump claimed in an interview with Fox News' Bret Baier, adding, “A child knows what that meant … That meant ‘assassination.’” Trump went on to refer to Comey as “a dirty cop,” underscoring their long-standing political feud, which dates back to Comey’s role in investigating Trump’s 2016 campaign.

That investigation was later sharply criticized in a 2023 report by special counsel John Durham. The report concluded that the FBI’s inquiry into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives was “seriously flawed.” Among the report’s findings was an allegation that Hillary Clinton’s campaign planned to exaggerate ties between Trump and Russia, a strategy reportedly discussed at an August 2016 White House meeting that included Comey, then-CIA Director John Brennan, and then-President Barack Obama.

The controversy surrounding Comey’s Instagram post was further intensified by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who announced Thursday that an investigation had been launched into the possible threat. While there was no immediate indication of criminal charges, the probe marked a rare moment that placed a former FBI director under scrutiny by the very agencies he once oversaw.

Comey deletes post, addresses fallout

In the wake of the backlash, Comey quickly deleted the Instagram post. In follow-up statements, he denied any intention of promoting violence and said he had not realized how the numbers might be interpreted. “It never occurred to me, but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down,” he said.

The incident highlights the increasing sensitivity around public figures’ communications, especially amid a politically charged atmosphere and in light of recent threats to public officials. Comey’s use of vague symbolism, whether intentional or not, drew criticism both for its potential implications and its lack of clarity.

The broader concern stems from two recent assassination attempts involving Trump. The first occurred on in July of last year when Trump was injured by a shooter named Thomas Matthew Crooks during a Pennsylvania rally. Crooks was subsequently fatally shot by Secret Service snipers.

Previous attacks on Trump spur heightened response

The second attempt unfolded on Sept. 15, 2024, when a man identified as Ryan Wesley Routh caused a disturbance at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course. Routh was arrested and later faced federal charges, underscoring growing apprehension regarding the safety of current and former presidents.

With the memory of those incidents still fresh, officials interpreted Comey’s Instagram post with heightened concern. Though no charges have been filed as a result of the interview, the Secret Service’s involvement signals the seriousness with which such perceived threats are taken.

Comey, who led the FBI from 2013 to 2017, has long been a polarizing figure in American politics. His highly publicized removal from office by then-President Trump and subsequent book tour have kept him in the public eye, though typically outside the criminal investigatory spotlight.

Durham report and ongoing political tensions under microscope

The tension between Trump and Comey has remained strong ever since the controversial FBI probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. According to Durham’s report, U.S. intelligence had obtained insights from Russian sources suggesting that Clinton’s campaign had authorized a smear strategy targeting Trump using accusations of Russian interference.

That alleged plan, Durham wrote, was reviewed during a White House meeting in August 2016 in which Comey, Brennan, and Obama were present, adding fuel to long-standing claims of political motivation behind the investigation. Though Durham’s report did not lead to widespread legal consequences, it cast a lasting shadow over the integrity of the 2016 inquiry.

In that context, many Trump allies view Comey’s recent actions as not only questionable but part of a broader pattern of hostility. Still, no direct link between the Instagram post and any active threat to Trump has yet been established.

Federal reaction highlights social media risks

The event has prompted renewed internal discussion within federal law enforcement regarding how public figures utilize social media. While many have defended Comey’s right to share personal photos, others within government agencies are now calling for clearer communication standards for former officials engaged in political commentary.

For now, Comey remains a private citizen with no formal government role. Yet, as this incident shows, messages put forward by former officials can still carry weight -- and, sometimes, unintended consequences.

The Secret Service has not released further details on the content of the interview or whether any additional actions will follow. Spokespersons for the Department of Homeland Security and Comey declined to comment beyond public statements.