assassination threat against President Donald Trump, the 47th president. The number “86” can mean “to get rid of” or, in extreme cases, “to kill,” and “47” points to Trump’s current term. The Secret Service is investigating, but the debate hinges on whether this was a malicious threat, a random formation, or a commemoration of the 8,647 days since September 11, 2001. Complicating matters, the number “8645”—linked to Trump’s first term as the 45th president—has a documented history of use by journalists and politicians, raising questions about intent, coincidence, and historical significance.

The “8647” in Comey’s post echoes the “8645” displays from Trump’s first term (2017–2021), which were widely seen as anti-Trump symbols. In October 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press with an “8645” pin on a table behind her, prompting Trump’s campaign to accuse her of “encouraging assassination attempts.” The term “86,” rooted in restaurant slang for ejecting a customer or scrapping an item, had evolved online to include “killing” in some contexts, though Merriam-Webster notes this usage is rare. Urban Dictionary’s 2017 entry defined “8645” as “a sneaky way to illustrate one’s support of getting rid of Trump.” Whitmer’s team dismissed the accusation, suggesting it showed the Trump campaign’s unfamiliarity with food service slang, but the pin’s deliberate placement—praised by her deputy digital director on social media—fueled suspicions of intent.

Other instances of “8645” emerged during Trump’s first term. Anti-Trump merchandise, including T-shirts and decals sold on Amazon and Etsy, bore the number, explicitly marketed as calls to “impeach” or “get rid of” Trump, the 45th president. In 2018, a Virginia restaurant’s refusal to serve then-White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was accompanied by a note reading “86 — Sarah Huckabee Sanders,” linking “86” to ejection from the Trump orbit. X posts from 2020 reflect public awareness of “8645” as a coded anti-Trump message, with users like @warriors_mom and @Manaming1 amplifying the Trump campaign’s outrage over Whitmer’s display. These incidents establish “8645” as a politically charged symbol, often interpreted as a call to remove Trump, though not always violently.

Does “8645” have historical significance beyond Trump? The number itself lacks inherent historical weight outside this context. It doesn’t align with notable dates, events, or codes in American history, unlike, say, “1776” or “9/11.” Its significance is tied to Trump’s first term and the slang-driven opposition to his presidency. However, Comey’s “8647” aligns precisely with the 8,647 days from September 11, 2001, to May 15, 2025, suggesting a possible 9/11 commemoration. This calculation—23 years, including 6 leap years (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024) and 246 days from September 11, 2024, to May 15, 2025—is exact and could imply intent to honor 9/11’s legacy, especially given Comey’s FBI role during its aftermath. Yet, the shift from “8645” to “8647” raises questions: Was Comey referencing the earlier anti-Trump symbol, adapting it to Trump’s second term, or marking 9/11?

The history of “8645” diminishes the likelihood of coincidence in Comey’s post. Natural seashell formations rarely form precise numbers, and the odds of “8647” appearing randomly on a beach are negligible. The precedent of “8645” as a deliberate anti-Trump symbol—used by Whitmer, journalists, and activists—suggests human intervention, whether by Comey or another. X posts from May 15, 2025, like those by @TommyBoyDetroit and @Emergentspring , note that “8645” was “well known” as a provocative term, implying Comey was aware of its baggage. This history increases the chance of malice, as Comey, a seasoned public figure, would likely understand the number’s loaded connotations. His claim of assuming it was a “political message” without violent intent strains credulity, given his FBI tenure and the 2020 Whitmer controversy.

However, malice isn’t certain. If Comey intended “8647” as a 9/11 tribute, the number’s alignment with the exact day count supports this, and his deletion of the post suggests regret over misinterpretation. Alternatively, he may have posted impulsively, intrigued by the formation’s political echo without crafting it himself. The legal threshold for a threat under 18 U.S.C. § 871—up to seven years in prison—requires clear intent, which Comey’s apology and lack of explicit violent language undermine. Still, the Trump administration’s reaction, amplified by figures like Donald Trump Jr. and Senator Marsha Blackburn, reflects heightened sensitivity after two 2024 assassination attempts on Trump.

The “8645” precedent reveals a polarized landscape where symbols become weapons. Comey’s post, whether a misstep or a calculated jab, reignites a debate rooted in Trump’s first term, where “8645” signaled resistance, from subtle pins to protest gear. Its history eliminates coincidence, tilts toward intent—malicious or commemorative—and underscores how even seashells can stoke division in 2025.

You can follow Mike Connors on X @OmniNewsJournal