Rep. Jim Jordan intensified his criticism of former FBI Director James Comey on Wednesday, claiming that Comey committed multiple offenses, including allegedly threatening President Donald Trump. Jordan made the remarks during an interview with Fox News anchor Bill Hemmer, focusing on a controversial social media post by Comey.
The controversy centers on an Instagram photo posted by Comey last year showing seashells arranged in an “86-47” pattern, which some interpret as a code for “get rid of” the president. Jordan argued that the post could violate federal law, citing 18 USC Section 871, which prohibits threatening the president. “It’s a crime to threaten the president. And he obviously did,” Jordan said, dismissing Comey’s explanation that the photo was an innocent snapshot from a beach walk.
Jordan also tied the Instagram post to Comey’s broader history with the Trump administration, including the early Trump-Russia investigation. He criticized Comey for relying on the Steele dossier in surveillance applications and for allegedly leaking memos and classified information through intermediaries. “This 10-year attack on the president started with Comey,” Jordan said, connecting the social media controversy to what he described as Comey’s past misconduct.
Federal authorities have yet to announce any criminal charges directly linked to the Instagram post, though Comey was recently indicted following a year-long investigation. A federal judge, Louise W. Flanagan of the Eastern District of North Carolina, was randomly assigned to oversee the case. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that the indictment involved a comprehensive investigation beyond the Instagram post alone.
Blanche told Fox News, “Every case requires an investigation, and what you just showed is one part of that investigation. Rest assured, it’s not just the Instagram post that leads somebody to get indicted.” The case continues to draw national attention, highlighting ongoing tensions between Trump allies and former officials from his administration.