The Secret Service closely monitored former FBI Director James Comey after he posted an Instagram photo that critics claimed was a threat to former President Donald Trump. The surveillance included tailing his vehicle and tracking his cellphone, actions usually taken for active threats, according to multiple government sources.
Comey and his wife were followed during a drive from North Carolina to their home in Virginia. At the same time, federal officials tracked the location of his phone and waited for him at his house near Washington, D.C.
The incident started when Comey posted a beach photo featuring seashells arranged to say “86 47.” The number 86 is slang for “remove,” and 47 refers to Trump being the 47th president. The post quickly drew criticism from Trump supporters, including his son, Donald Trump Jr., who claimed Comey was calling for Trump’s assassination.
The post sparked widespread outrage on social media. Comey later deleted the image and explained he did not know the phrase had a violent meaning. He said he opposed violence in all forms. That evening, Secret Service agents spoke to Comey by phone. He denied any harmful intent.
Under normal circumstances, that phone call would have been the end of the investigation. Comey has no history of violence and once led the FBI. Former Secret Service agents said this situation didn’t meet the usual threat criteria. Yet, the agency escalated the matter by deploying both physical and digital tracking.
It’s unclear whether the agents involved were part of the Secret Service or other federal or local law enforcement. Officials cited “exigent” circumstances for the unusual response, a term suggesting an urgent need to act immediately. However, Trump was overseas in the Middle East at the time.
In recent months, the Secret Service has faced criticism for failing to prevent two separate assassination attempts on Trump. The increased tension may explain the agency’s heightened response. Still, legal experts say the decision to monitor Comey was extreme.
Former U.S. attorney Barbara McQuade called the response “huge overkill.” She suggested it seemed more like retaliation than a security measure. “It almost seems like someone was using this as an excuse to go after one of Trump’s critics,” she said.
After the backlash, the Secret Service made a public statement. They said they investigate all possible threats, regardless of the person’s status. They declined to comment on Comey’s case specifically.
Comey has not been charged with any crime. The Justice Department has not confirmed whether the investigation into his post is still active. According to a White House official, the surveillance was not requested by the administration but launched independently by the Secret Service.
After the incident, several Trump allies demanded Comey be punished. One high-ranking official accused Comey of calling for the assassination of the president. Trump’s former director of national intelligence even said Comey should be jailed.
The day after the uproar, Trump told a television audience that Comey “knew exactly what it meant.” He added, “Even a child knows that meant assassination.”
Though Comey had already been interviewed once, the Secret Service insisted on a second meeting—this time in person. His lawyers arranged the meeting while Comey was driving home. Agents were waiting for him when he arrived, and they drove him to Washington for questioning.
Comey was fired by Trump in 2017 during the FBI’s investigation into alleged ties between Trump’s team and Russia. Since then, Trump has repeatedly targeted Comey, calling him a traitor and asking for criminal investigations.
Comey has faced several probes since leaving office. These include reviews of his handling of the Russia investigation, claims of leaking classified information, and even an IRS audit that many viewed as politically motivated.
Although surveillance by federal agents in public places is legal and doesn’t require a court order, the intensity of the measures taken against Comey stood out. The agency has reviewed similar posts about President Biden, like “86 46,” but none resulted in actions as aggressive as those taken in this case.
