Dan Bongino blasts James Comey over ‘86 47′ Instagram post: ‘brought shame to the FBI again’

New York Post - May 18th, 2025
Open on New York Post

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino criticized former FBI Director James Comey for a cryptic Instagram post featuring the numbers '86 47' spelled out in seashells, which ignited controversy. Bongino, expressing his disdain for Comey's leadership, stated that the bureau continues to address the chaos left by Comey’s tenure. The post, interpreted by some as a coded incitement to violence against President Trump, led to the Secret Service interviewing Comey. Trump, who has survived two assassination attempts, labeled the post as a clear threat. Comey, after removing the image, claimed ignorance of the message's potential implications and reiterated his opposition to violence.

In response to the incident, FBI Director Kash Patel pledged support to the Secret Service and hinted at forthcoming revelations about past FBI investigations, including the Crossfire Hurricane probe into Trump’s 2016 campaign and the January 6 Capitol riot. Patel and Bongino emphasized ongoing reforms within the FBI, aiming for increased transparency. This situation underscores the lingering tensions and controversy surrounding Comey's leadership and the FBI's role in politically sensitive investigations, as well as the challenges faced by current leadership in restoring the bureau's integrity.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

4.8
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents a timely and engaging story involving high-profile figures and controversial topics, such as James Comey's Instagram post and criticisms from Dan Bongino. While the story is of significant public interest and has the potential to influence public opinion, its impact is limited by a lack of balance, transparency, and independent verification of the claims made.

The article would benefit from a more balanced representation of perspectives and additional context to clarify the significance of the events discussed. The reliance on statements from Bongino and Patel without corroboration from independent sources weakens the story's credibility and accuracy. Improving the structure and providing clearer transitions between different aspects of the story would enhance readability and comprehension.

Overall, the story highlights important issues related to leadership accountability and government transparency but requires further verification and context to ensure a comprehensive and reliable presentation of the facts.

RATING DETAILS

5
Accuracy

The story contains several claims that require verification, such as the interpretation of "86" as meaning "get rid of" and the details surrounding alleged assassination attempts on Trump. The story reports that "86" is a term used in the restaurant industry, but this needs confirmation for its broader implications. Additionally, the mention of Trump's assassination attempts, including a specific date and location, requires substantiation, as these are significant claims with potential legal and security implications.

The article also presents statements from Dan Bongino and Kash Patel about reforms within the FBI and upcoming revelations regarding Crossfire Hurricane and the Capitol riot investigations. These claims are significant and need verification through credible sources or official statements. The lack of direct evidence or corroboration from independent sources weakens the factual accuracy of the story.

4
Balance

The story predominantly presents the perspective of Dan Bongino and his criticisms of James Comey, with limited representation of Comey's viewpoint. While Comey's brief response is included, the article does not offer a balanced exploration of the situation, such as seeking input from neutral or opposing voices within the FBI or independent legal experts.

The narrative leans heavily towards Bongino's perspective, which may skew the reader's understanding of the events. By focusing mainly on criticisms of Comey's leadership and the implications of his Instagram post, the article does not adequately address other potential interpretations or context that could provide a more nuanced view.

6
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation of Bongino's criticisms and the controversy surrounding Comey's Instagram post. However, the structure could be improved to provide a more coherent narrative. The transitions between different aspects of the story, such as the Instagram post, Bongino's criticisms, and the FBI investigations, could be smoother to enhance readability.

The language used is straightforward, but the article would benefit from additional context to clarify the significance of certain terms and events mentioned. Providing more background information on the key players and the implications of their actions would help readers better understand the story's impact.

5
Source quality

The article relies heavily on statements from Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and conservative media figure, which raises questions about potential bias. While Bongino holds a position of authority as the FBI Deputy Director, his dual role as a media personality could influence his statements.

The story lacks input from independent sources or experts who could provide additional context or verification of the claims made. There is also a lack of direct quotes or statements from James Comey beyond his removal of the Instagram post, which limits the article's ability to present a well-rounded view of the situation.

4
Transparency

The article does not provide sufficient context or background on the significance of the "86 47" post or the broader implications of the claims made by Bongino and Patel. There is no clear explanation of how the conclusions about Comey's post were reached or the methodology behind the investigations mentioned.

The lack of transparency about the sources of information and the processes involved in verifying the claims undermines the article's credibility. Readers are left without a clear understanding of the basis for the allegations against Comey or the nature of the FBI reforms and investigations discussed.

Sources

  1. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-deputy-director-dan-bongino-james-comey-shame-fbi-badge-again-86-47-post
  2. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJy7mG9NUso/
  3. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/fbi-james-comey-dan-bongino-b2753243.html
  4. https://pamfleti.net/english/bota/dan-bongino-james-comey-e-turperoi-perseri-fbi-ne-me-postimin-86-47-i280794
  5. https://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=390325%3Futm_source%3Dpolitipage