FBI Deputy Director Criticizes James Comey Over ’86 47′ Controversy

FBI Deputy Director Criticizes James Comey Over ’86 47′ Controversy

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has publicly condemned former bureau director James Comey for his recent controversial social media post. This condemnation follows investigations into Comey’s Instagram post, which some view as emblematic of ongoing leadership issues within the FBI.

In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Bongino asserted that Comey’s actions marked another instance of mismanagement that continues to tarnish the FBI’s reputation.

“Former FBI Director James Comey brought shame to the FBI badge yet again this past week,” Bongino stated. “The Director and I spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning up messes left behind by former Director Comey, and his latest actions are no exception.”

The Fallout from Comey’s Post

Comey was dismissed from his post by President Donald Trump in 2017, and his latest post has reignited controversy. Last Thursday, he shared a photo on social media featuring seashells arranged to spell out “86 47,” a term understood by many as a directive to “get rid of” the 47th president. Although Comey later deleted the post, he claimed it was taken out of context; this assertion has drawn skepticism from several quarters, including Trump himself.

Trump, in a Fox News interview, responded firmly, stating, “He knew exactly what that meant. A child knows what that meant. If you’re the FBI director and you don’t know what that meant, that meant ‘assassination,’ and it says it loud and clear.”

In a follow-up statement, Comey expressed regret for not realizing that some might associate those numbers with violence. He claimed that it had never occurred to him that vulgar interpretations were possible.

Bongino’s Rejection of Comey’s Defense

Bongino firmly rejected Comey’s explanation, arguing that it exemplifies a bigger issue of misconduct frequent under Comey’s leadership. In his statement, Bongino emphasized the paramount role he and Director Patel have in managing one of the world’s most powerful law enforcement agencies.

“As the Deputy Director of the FBI, I am charged, alongside Director Patel, with overseeing the most powerful law enforcement agency in the world. We are responsible for examining grave mistakes made by individuals within the FBI and ensuring they do not recur,” he noted.

Commitment to Law Enforcement

Bongino reiterated the FBI’s commitment to collaborating with federal law enforcement agencies to investigate any threats involving public officials, regardless of their term in office.

While acknowledging that the FBI does not primarily investigate threats against the President, Bongino clarified that the bureau has the ability to support other federal entities in cases involving violations of federal laws. “We do have a responsibility to comment on matters involving former FBI officials and allegations of law-breaking,” he said.

Following the incident, the U.S. Secret Service has already interviewed Comey regarding his post. In a separate communication, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the bureau is actively coordinating with both the Secret Service and Director Curran.

A Legacy of Dysfunction

Bongino believes the latest controversy reflects a legacy of dysfunction that he and Patel are determined to rectify from within the FBI.

“As I have stated before, I cannot share every detail about the reforms the Director and I are implementing, but I assure you they are underway. Sadly, many items on our agenda arise from former Director Comey’s poor decision-making and atrocious leadership,” he remarked.

Reinforcing his point, Bongino added, “To those skeptical of my claims, when you witness what the Director and I witness from the inside, it’s even worse.”

A Timely Expression of Support

Bongino timed his public statement to follow a scheduled interview with Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo that aired on Sunday. He explained that the interview was recorded earlier in the week before the emergence of the Comey controversy.

“I’m addressing this now, rather than during our interview with Maria Bartiromo on Sunday, because we recorded that interview before the incident with Comey became public,” he stated.

He concluded with a forward-looking message to the nation, emphasizing his support for the law enforcement community and the ongoing reforms at the FBI. “God bless America and all those who defend Her,” he said, echoing sentiments aimed at restoring faith in law enforcement.

Bongino, who has a background as a former NYPD officer and a long-time Secret Service agent, was appointed deputy director of the FBI earlier this year. His leadership under Director Kash Patel reflects a wider effort by the Trump administration to restore accountability and integrity to the FBI after years of controversies perceived as politically motivated misconduct.

The FBI has not yet responded to requests for further comments regarding this recent incident.