Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated on Thursday that federal law enforcement is examining 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.

Accompanying a photo of seashells seemingly arranged to resemble "86 47", Comey's Instagram post featured the caption: "cool shell formation on my beach walk".

Several former Trump administration officials, among them Noem, alleged that Comey was implicitly calling for the assassination of the 47th President, Donald Trump. Noem stated that the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service were investigating the potential threat and would respond accordingly.

According to Merriam-Webster, the dictionary favoured by The Associated Press, the slang term "86" denotes discarding, eliminating, or denying service; furthermore, the dictionary acknowledges a recent extension of the term to signify "to kill," a usage they have refrained from formally recognising due to its novelty and infrequent application.

The post has since been removed. Subsequently, Comey clarified, "I initially shared a photograph of seashells encountered during a beach stroll, mistakenly interpreting them as a political statement. I was unaware of the association some individuals make between those numerals and violent acts."

Comey's initial social media post ignited a firestorm of indignation amongst conservatives, with Donald Trump Jr. alleging that Comey had effectively issued a call for his father's assassination.

FBI Director Kash Patel acknowledged awareness of the posting and confirmed ongoing consultations 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 occurred at a particularly sensitive juncture, coinciding with Trump's ongoing tour of the Middle East.

Blair's post on X has been interpreted by some as a provocative incitement, alleging that Jim Comey's actions could be construed by terrorists and hostile regimes as a tacit invitation to assassinate the President during his upcoming Middle East tour.

Ousted from his post as FBI Director by Trump in 2017, during the bureau's investigation into alleged collusion between Russian operatives and Trump's 2016 campaign, James Comey, who had served as director since 2013, chronicled his career in the acclaimed memoir "A Higher Loyalty."

Now a fully-fledged crime fiction author, he is currently promoting his newest book, “FDR Drive,” scheduled for release this Tuesday.