James Comey under surveillance for controversial social media post

In the United States, former FBI Director James Comey was subjected to surveillance by the Secret Service following a social media post made on May 15, 2025, that caused significant backlash among Trump allies. Comey's post featured a photo of seashells forming the numbers '86 47', which some interpreted as a violent threat against President Donald Trump. In response to concerns regarding the post, law enforcement agencies, including the Secret Service, began tracking Comey’s movements as he traveled from the North Carolina coast back to his home in the Washington, D.C. area. As Comey made the journey with his wife, unmarked vehicles followed them, while agents monitored his cell phone location. When they returned home, Comey was approached by Secret Service agents and taken for questioning regarding the meaning behind his post. Critics interpreted the numbers in the post as implying a call for Trump’s assassination, particularly given the interpretation of '86' as 'to eliminate'. This led figures like Donald Trump Jr. and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to respond publicly, condemning Comey’s implication for inciting violence. Comey deleted the post soon after, stating that he had not intended to instigate harm and had been unaware of the potential interpretation of the phrase. Despite his insistence that he opposes violence, authorities deemed his post serious enough to warrant surveillance, which is typically reserved for active threats against protectees. Notably, the Secret Service undertook this surveillance without any evidence suggesting Comey posed a real threat; former officials remarked that such actions were excessive considering the lack of history or intention to harm. This level of scrutiny raised concerns surrounding motivations behind the surveillance, with some suggesting it was a method of retribution against a prominent critic of the Trump administration. While Comey has faced accusations from Trump regarding his past conduct as FBI Director, including calls for criminal charges against him, this incident highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and Comey. Comey’s interactions with law enforcement stem from the context of broader investigations into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 election, where Comey’s role in the FBI has been under significant scrutiny and criticism. The Secret Service defended its actions, noting it investigations all potential threats irrespective of the individual's status, signaling the seriousness of any perceived threats against protectees. As a significant figure and critic, Comey’s situation illustrates how tensions have not only persisted among political figures but have also escalated to the use of law enforcement resources to address perceived threats. The implications of this event resonate within the political climate, reflecting the contentious relationship between Comey and the Trump administration.