Controversy Over Former FBI Director's Alleged Threat to Ex-President
The ex-director of the FBI, James Comey, finds himself in hot water over the interpretation of the term "86". The Justice Department believes it signifies a physical threat, while the common understanding is that it means to discard or reject something. Legal specialists argue that the unclear meaning could make the case challenging for the Justice Department.
Instagram Post Sparks Legal Battle
The entire controversy began when Comey shared a picture on Instagram of seashells arranged to spell out "86 47", with the number 47 referring to Donald Trump, the 47th president. The Justice Department believes this to be an intended threat against the former president.
The term "eighty-six" is regarded as a slang term that's usually used to mean "to throw out," "to get rid of," or "to refuse service to." However, it has also been used sparingly to mean "to kill", which is the interpretation the Justice Department is basing its case on.
Charges Against Comey
According to the indictment, Comey "knowingly and willfully made a threat to take the life of, and to inflict bodily harm upon, the President of the United States". The charges against him include threatening the president and "transmitting a threat across state lines". If found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
Justice Department's Stance
The acting Attorney General stated that threatening the president's life is a serious offense and will not be tolerated. Furthermore, the director of the FBI condemned Comey for allegedly promoting a threat against Trump's life and publicizing it on social media.
Comey's Response
It's true that Comey removed the offending Instagram post the same day he posted it, but he did not offer an apology. He claimed that he thought the shells were a political message and was unaware that some people associate the numbers with violence. He clarified that he is against violence of any kind and removed the post for this reason.
In a public interview, Comey insisted that he had "no dark intention" and that the post was "totally innocent". He viewed the picture as a clever way to express a political viewpoint and distanced himself from any association with violence.
Trump's Reaction
Trump, however, firmly believes that Comey knew what the message meant, stating that even a child could understand the implication. He interpreted the message as a clear threat of assassination.
Historical Use of "Eighty-Six"
Several dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster, define the term "eighty-six" as a slang phrase meaning "to throw out," "to get rid of," or "to refuse service to". The term originates from 1930s soda-counter slang indicating that an item was sold out. Over time, the word has evolved to mean 'to refuse to serve a customer,' and then to 'get rid of; to throw out.' Only recently has it been used to mean 'to kill', a definition the dictionary does not officially recognize due to its recent and sparse usage.
Legal Experts Weigh In
Some legal experts suggest that prosecutors may struggle to prove Comey "knowingly and willfully" posted the photo as a violent threat. In the eyes of these experts, the indictment is fundamentally flawed and unlikely to hold up in court due to the ambiguity of the term "86".
Conclusion
After the indictment, the acting Attorney General was asked about how he intended to prove intent when Comey stated he did not associate "86" with doing physical harm. The Attorney General explained that they had undertaken extensive investigations and would use witnesses, documents, and the defendant himself to prove intent.
This is not the first time the Justice Department has sought criminal charges against Comey. Previously, he was indicted on two criminal counts alleging he lied to Congress and obstructed a congressional proceeding. The case was later dismissed, and the Justice Department has appealed.
Responding to the latest indictment, Comey released a video message stating that he remains innocent, unafraid, and continues to believe in the independent federal judiciary.