Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated Thursday that federal law enforcement is examining a social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, which she and fellow Republicans interpret as an incitement to violence against President Donald Trump.

In an Instagram post, Comey captioned a photo of seashells arranged in a formation resembling the numbers "86 47" with the observation: "Intriguing shell configuration spotted during my beach stroll."

Several former Trump administration officials, Noem among them, alleged that Comey was ostensibly inciting the assassination of the 47th President. Noem stated, "The DHS and Secret Service are investigating this perceived threat and will respond accordingly."

According to Merriam-Webster, the dictionary of record for the Associated Press, the slang term "86" denotes discarding, eliminating, or refusing service; furthermore, the dictionary acknowledges a nascent, albeit infrequent, extension of the term to signify "to kill," a usage they have yet to formally codify.

The post has since been removed. Comey later explained, “I initially shared a photo of shells found during a beach stroll, mistakenly interpreting them as a political statement. I was unaware that certain individuals associate those numbers with acts of violence."

Comey's initial social media post ignited a firestorm of indignation amongst conservatives, exemplified by Donald Trump Jr.'s accusation that Comey was tacitly advocating for the assassination of his father.

The present FBI Director, Kash Patel, has acknowledged his awareness of the communication and is currently in consultation with the Secret Service and its director.

James Blair, White House deputy chief of staff for legislative, political, and public affairs, observed that the appointment coincided with a sensitive juncture, considering Trump's ongoing tour of the Middle East.

Blair's statement on X can be interpreted as an incitement to violence, suggesting that former FBI Director Jim Comey is effectively issuing a call for terrorist organisations and adversarial governments to assassinate the President during his upcoming trip to the Middle East.

James Comey, who helmed the FBI from 2013 to 2017, was dismissed by President Trump during his initial term in office amidst the Bureau's investigation into alleged connections between Russian officials and Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, a period he later chronicled in his best-selling memoir, "A Higher Loyalty."

Now a crime fiction author, he is currently promoting his latest novel, "FDR Drive," slated for release on Tuesday.