Fact Check: "James Comey was accused of plotting to assassinate Donald Trump."
What We Know
James Comey, the former FBI director, faced significant scrutiny after posting a photo on social media that some interpreted as a threat against then-President Donald Trump. The image featured seashells arranged to form the numbers "86 47," which critics claimed suggested a call for Trump's assassination. The number "86" is slang that can mean to dismiss or eliminate, while "47" refers to Trump as the 47th president (New York Times, BBC). Following this post, the Secret Service tracked Comey's movements and monitored his cellphone, citing "exigent circumstances" as justification for their actions (New York Times, Daily Mail).
Comey deleted the post shortly after it was published, claiming he did not understand its violent connotation and that he opposes violence of any kind (BBC). Despite this, Trump and his allies accused Comey of inciting violence, leading to an investigation by the Secret Service (Independent, Al Jazeera).
Analysis
The claim that Comey was accused of plotting to assassinate Trump is rooted in the interpretation of his social media post and the subsequent reaction from Trump's supporters. The Secret Service's decision to monitor Comey was based on the interpretation of his post as a potential threat, which indicates a serious concern from law enforcement about the implications of his words (New York Times). However, Comey himself has denied any intent to threaten the president, stating that he was unaware of the violent connotation associated with the numbers (BBC).
The reliability of sources reporting on this incident varies. Major news outlets like the New York Times and BBC provide detailed accounts backed by official statements and context, while social media posts from Trump and his allies may carry inherent bias, framing Comey's actions in a more accusatory light. The Secret Service's actions, described as "overkill" by some experts, suggest a heightened sensitivity to threats against the president, particularly in light of recent assassination attempts (New York Times).
Conclusion
The claim that James Comey was accused of plotting to assassinate Donald Trump is Partially True. While there was indeed a significant backlash against Comey following his social media post, which led to an investigation by the Secret Service, Comey himself denied any intent to threaten the president. The interpretation of his post as a call for violence appears to stem from a specific reading of the numbers he posted, which he claims he did not understand. Thus, while the accusation exists, the context and Comey's response complicate the narrative.
Sources
- Comey Tracked by Secret Service After Post Critical of Trump
- James Comey: Ex-FBI boss investigated for seashell photo ...
- Secret Service's plot to track ex FBI director after ...
- Secret Service interviewing James Comey over ‘8647’ Trump ...
- Was ex-FBI chief Comey's '86 47′ post calling for Trump ...
