FBI Director Kash Patel has publicly criticized former FBI Director James Comey after Comey questioned Patel’s qualifications for his role. This exchange took place during Patel’s appearance on Fox News’ “Special Report” hosted by Bret Baier.
The tension stems from Comey’s recent comments on CNN, where he expressed concerns about Patel’s ability to lead the FBI. In response, Patel accused Comey of irresponsibly using social media, which he claims has led to an increase in threats against former President Donald Trump.
The controversy began when Comey posted a now-deleted image on Instagram showing seashells arranged to read “86 47.” Many interpreted this as a coded threat against Trump, with “86” suggesting “get rid of” and “47” referring to Trump as the 47th President. Patel stated that the fallout from Comey’s post forced his team to investigate numerous copycat threats, diverting resources away from other critical investigations, such as those involving child predators and drug traffickers.
Patel expressed frustration over the situation, emphasizing the seriousness of threats against the President. He highlighted the impact of Comey’s actions on the FBI’s operations, stating, “That’s what I’m having to deal with every single day.” He criticized Comey for making what he sees as a political statement, which has real-world consequences.
Comey, who was fired from his position during Trump’s presidency, has also been vocal about Patel’s qualifications. He remarked that Patel lacks the necessary experience for the role, which he finds concerning. Comey suggested that Patel should rely on the career professionals within the FBI, noting that many talented individuals have already left the agency.
In a later attempt to clarify his controversial post, Comey claimed he was unaware of the meaning behind “86” and thought it simply referred to leaving a place. He insisted that he and his wife stumbled upon the arrangement of shells while walking on the beach, distancing himself from any suggestion of intent to threaten.
This exchange between Patel and Comey reflects ongoing tensions within the FBI and the political landscape surrounding the agency. As threats against political figures continue to rise, the implications of social media actions by public figures are under scrutiny.