Former FBI Director James Comey once again finds himself in the middle of a firestorm—this time, not over investigations, but an Instagram post. The post in question, which featured seashells arranged to read “86 47,” was widely interpreted as a coded message referencing the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump, with “86” commonly understood as slang for “eliminate” or “get rid of.”

Though Comey deleted the post and issued a statement claiming he had not intended any violent connotation, the image triggered immediate criticism from across the political and law enforcement spectrum. Among the most forceful responses came from Dan Bongino, the current FBI Deputy Director and a former agent himself.

In a strongly worded statement posted to social media, Bongino condemned Comey’s actions as a continuation of leadership failures that had, in his words, “brought shame to the FBI badge.”

“Former FBI Director James Comey brought shame to the FBI badge, yet again, this past week,” Bongino wrote. “The Director and I spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning up messes left behind by former Director Comey. And his latest actions are no exception.”

Comey, who was dismissed from his role in 2017, has been a polarizing figure in national discourse ever since. The photo incident only reignited lingering tensions tied to his tenure and decisions made during pivotal moments in recent U.S. history.

After deleting the post, Comey attempted to explain the photo, claiming he “didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence” and that it “never occurred to me.” Yet Bongino, along with many others, found the explanation lacking.

“As the Deputy Director of the FBI, I am charged, standing with Director Patel, with managing the most powerful law enforcement agency in the world,” Bongino stated. “The Director and I are also responsible for looking at grave mistakes made by people within the FBI in the past and ensuring they never happen again.”

While the U.S. Secret Service holds the primary role in investigating threats against former presidents, the FBI still retains a support role—and with former officials involved, the Bureau has additional oversight responsibilities. According to Bongino, the agency remains in active coordination with both the Secret Service and other federal partners.

“While the FBI does not have primary investigative responsibility for investigating threats against the POTUS, and we do not make prosecutorial decisions, we do have the ability and authority to support other federal agencies for violations of federal law,” he said.

FBI Director Kash Patel echoed this sentiment in a brief statement, noting that the agency is “in communication with the Secret Service and Director Curran.”

The “86 47” photo may seem minor to some observers, but Bongino sees it as symbolic of a deeper, more entrenched problem that stems from a culture left behind by Comey’s leadership. He and Director Patel are now tasked with rebuilding trust and integrity in the Bureau’s operations.

“As I’ve stated in the past, I cannot post openly about all the things the Director and I are doing to reform the enterprise, but I assure you, they are happening,” Bongino wrote. “Sadly, many of those agenda items are the result of former Director Comey’s poor decision-making and atrocious leadership.”

Bongino also revealed the timing of his statement was intentional. His interview with FOX Business anchor Maria Bartiromo had been recorded before the controversy emerged, but he wanted to make sure the public knew where he stood once the issue came to light.

During that interview, Bongino and Patel both addressed public frustration with what many perceive as a lack of accountability in the upper echelons of the Bureau. The reference to “Crossfire Hurricane”—the FBI’s counterintelligence probe into the 2016 Trump campaign—was unmistakable. Critics have long pointed to it as an example of the agency losing its way.

Patel, not known for dramatic pronouncements, hinted at developments on the horizon. “Just give us about a week or two,” he said when pressed for updates. “But first, we must have full accountability. Justice is coming.”

The fallout from Comey’s post may ultimately fade, but the tension it reignited will likely remain. For many inside the FBI, it has become a moment of reckoning—a reminder of how leadership, perception, and responsibility are tightly intertwined, and how actions, even as small as a social media post, can ripple through institutions in profound ways.