FBI Director Kash Patel reveals his agency is being forced to divert critical resources to investigate a surge of threats against President Trump following former FBI Director James Comey’s controversial social media post.
At a Glance
- FBI is overwhelmed with “copycat” threats inspired by James Comey’s “86 47” Instagram post
- Agents have been redirected from child sex crimes, drug trafficking, and terrorism investigations
- Comey was interviewed by Secret Service after posting what some interpreted as a threat against the 47th president
- The former FBI director deleted the post and claims it was “totally innocent” with no violent intent
- President Trump rejected Comey’s explanation, calling the post a clear call for assassination
FBI Resources Stretched Thin by Social Media Threats
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is facing an unprecedented challenge as it struggles to manage a wave of threats against President Donald Trump stemming from former FBI Director James Comey’s controversial social media post. Current FBI Director Kash Patel revealed in a Fox News interview that the agency has been forced to reassign agents from critical investigations to address these emerging threats. The situation has created significant strain on the Bureau’s resources at a time when other serious crimes demand attention.
Patel expressed frustration at the operational impact caused by the May 15th Instagram post from Comey that featured seashells arranged to form “86 47” – widely interpreted as a coded threat against Trump, the 47th president. The restaurant industry term “86” commonly means to remove or get rid of something. Following the post, FBI offices nationwide have reported a significant increase in similar threatening messages that require investigation to assess their credibility and potential danger.
Critical Investigations Sidelined by Threat Assessment
In his remarks, Patel highlighted the real-world consequences of having to redirect FBI personnel to address these threats. Agents who would normally be investigating serious crimes have been temporarily reassigned to threat assessment and mitigation related to the President’s safety. The redirection of resources comes at a significant cost to public safety as other investigations face delays or reduced manpower.
While the exact number of copycat incidents remains undisclosed due to ongoing investigations, Patel described the volume as “significant.” The FBI has a legal obligation to investigate all potential threats against the President, regardless of their perceived credibility, which further compounds the strain on resources. Each threat assessment requires thorough investigation to determine whether it represents a genuine danger.
Comey Claims Innocence After Secret Service Interview
Following his controversial post, Comey was interviewed by Secret Service investigators but reportedly does not expect to face criminal charges. The former FBI director subsequently deleted the post from his Instagram account and has maintained that it was “totally innocent” and not intended as a threat against President Trump. This explanation has done little to quell concerns about the impact of his actions.
President Trump has flatly rejected Comey’s claim of innocence, stating that the message clearly implied assassination. The controversy has reignited tensions between the former president and the man he fired as FBI director in 2017. Security experts note that regardless of intent, public figures with Comey’s background and influence should understand how such messages might be interpreted and potentially inspire others.
Public Safety Concerns Take Center Stage
The FBI’s primary mission focuses on protecting the American public from various threats, including terrorism, organized crime, and violent offenses. Director Patel emphasized that the agency should be concentrating on these core responsibilities rather than dealing with the fallout from what many view as a politically motivated social media post. The redirection of resources has real consequences for investigations that directly impact public safety.
The situation highlights the increasing challenges law enforcement faces in the social media era, where potentially threatening messages can quickly spread and inspire similar behavior. While the FBI continues to investigate each threat according to established protocols, Patel made it clear that the agency would prefer to focus its limited resources on addressing the most serious criminal threats facing the nation rather than chasing social media provocations.