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

In an Instagram post, Comey captioned a photo of seashells arranged in what appeared to be the numerals "86 47" with the observation, "cool shell formation on my beach walk."

Several figures from the Trump administration, Noem among them, alleged that Comey was inciting the assassination of the 47th president. Noem stated that the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service were investigating the threat and would respond accordingly.

According to Merriam-Webster, the dictionary favored by The Associated Press, the slang term "86" denotes discarding, eliminating, or denying service; the dictionary acknowledges a recent, albeit infrequent, extension of the term to signify "to kill," a sense not yet formally recognized due to its novelty and limited prevalence.

The aforementioned post has since been removed. Comey later commented, "Earlier, I uploaded a photograph of shells encountered during a beach stroll, presuming they represented a political statement. I was unaware that certain individuals connect those numerical configurations with acts of violence."

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

Kash Patel, the current Director of the FBI, acknowledged his awareness of the communication and stated he was in consultation with the Secret Service and its director regarding the matter.

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

Blair's post on X has been interpreted by some as a provocative incitement, suggesting that Jim Comey's actions represent an open invitation to terrorist organizations 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, faced termination by President Trump early in his administration amidst the Bureau's investigation into alleged connections between Russian operatives and Trump's 2016 presidential bid, an experience he later chronicled in his bestselling memoir, "A Higher Loyalty."

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