FBI Director Kash Patel has criticized former FBI Director James Comey’s deleted ’86 47′ Instagram post, suggesting it may have contributed to the recent threats made by a former Coast Guard officer, Peter Stinson, against President Donald Trump. Patel expressed concerns about how the post led to an influx of copycat threats, which he claimed diverted resources from crucial FBI operations. The case reflects broader concerns about the influence of social media platforms on public safety and the potential for seemingly innocuous posts to inspire acts of violence.
Stinson, a former Coast Guard officer who served from 1988 to 2021, is facing charges for making multiple graphic threats against Trump, including 13 references to the ’86 47′ message. The phrase, which Comey initially posted on Instagram, has since become a point of controversy after he deleted the image hours later. The post, which he later defended as innocent, was associated with a slang meaning of ’86’ as ‘to throw out’ or ‘to refuse service to,’ with the number 47 referring to Trump’s presidency. Despite Comey’s claims that the post had no dark intentions, Patel and other Trump administration officials expressed skepticism about its innocence.
Patel emphasized that the Instagram post triggered an overwhelming number of copycat threats against the president, forcing the FBI to divert agents from critical portfolios to address the issue. He praised the law enforcement’s response in preventing a potential violent act. Stinson, who is described as a ‘self-identified’ member of Antifa, has posted multiple threats against Trump, some of which appear to reference the July 13 assassination attempt. His recent statements suggest a belief that the Secret Service failed to protect Trump adequately, and he expressed a willingness to continue such acts of violence.
The case has sparked significant debate about the role of social media in shaping public discourse and its potential to incite violence. While Comey has stated that he had no ill intentions in sharing the post, Patel argues that the incident highlights the need for greater scrutiny of online activity, especially when it involves public figures. As Stinson prepares to appear in federal court, the FBI continues to emphasize its commitment to protecting national security and preventing potential threats to the president.