National Intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard said former FBI director James Comey should be “putted behind the bar” for a post he made on Instagram on Thursday.
Earlier on Thursday, Comey shared a photo on Instagram with a shell formed with the number “86 47.” For some people, the number “86” is a call sign for killing or removing someone or something, and “47” is usually used to refer to the 47th president of the United States.
“A cool shell formation on my beach walk…” Comey wrote in the caption of the photo, but it was deleted.
Gabbard commented on “Jesse Watters Primetime” on Thursday night.
Former FBI Chief Comey's '86 47' social media post has been accused of trying to “hit” the White House
National Intelligence Director Tarshi Gabbard said former FBI director James Comey should be in prison to post pictures of numbers “86 47” interpreted as a threat to Trump. (via Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP Getty Images)
“I previously posted some husk photos I saw today on the beach walk. I thought this was a political message,” Comey said after deleting the first photo. “I didn't realize that some people were linking those numbers to violence. It never happened to me, but I stolen the post because I'm against any kind of violence.”
Gabbard said Comey and his people “have to be bound to explain in accordance with the law” regardless of the reason he said he posted the photos.
“The rule of law says that people like those who pose a direct threat to POTUS and who essentially issue calls to assassinate him must be accountable under the law,” Gabbard said.
Former FBI director James Comey posted an Instagram photo of the shells arranged with the number “86 47.” This is interpreted as a threat to President Donald Trump's life. (AP)
The Director of National Intelligence said Comey's post was “very interested in (the president's life).”
“I am very concerned about the president's life. We have already seen an attempt to assassinate him. I am very concerned about his life. In my view, James Comey should be placed behind the bar for this,” she said.
“Never Trump” Comey's '86 47 'Trump's submission under investigation
Gabbard also said Comey has a lot of influence and has “people who take him very seriously.”
Shortly after Comey deleted the post, Fox News Digital learned from sources on the Secret Service that the agency was aware of the incident and that agents were sent to investigate and interview Comey.
The White House also denounced Comey's actions as the White House Deputy Chief of Staff and Interior Secretary Taylor Budwich called his post “deeply concerned.”
“President Trump is currently on an international trip to the Middle East, but the former FBI director gives a clear interpretation of a “hit” to a sitting US president. A message engraved in the sand” wrote X.
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Comey, who led the FBI before being fired from the scene during Trump's first term, did not comment when Fox News Digital reached Thursday.
Alec Schemmel and David Spunt of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
