The Secret Service has launched an investigation into former FBI Director James Comey after accusations surfaced Thursday that he called for violence against President Donald Trump in a now-deleted Instagram post, prompting outrage from Trump allies and a swift response from federal authorities.

Comey, fired by Trump in 2017, posted an image of seashells arranged to form the numbers “8647” during a beach walk, captioning it, "Cool shell formation on my beach walk."

The number “86,” slang for eliminating or ejecting someone, combined with Trump’s designation as the 47th president, was interpreted by Trump’s inner circle as a coded death threat.

"While President Trump is currently on an international trip to the Middle East, the former FBI Director puts out what can clearly be interpreted as ‘a hit’ on the sitting President of the United States — a message etched in the sand,” White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich wrote on X. "This is deeply concerning to all of us and is being taken seriously.”

Donald Trump Jr. amplified the alarm.

"Just James Comey casually calling for my dad to be murdered. This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!!" Trump Jr. tweeted alongside a screenshot of the post.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the Secret Service is investigating Comey over the alarming message he sent to his 132k Instagram followers.

"Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of @POTUSTrump. DHS and Secret Service are investigating this threat and will respond appropriately," Noem announced on X.

FBI chief Kash Patel also weighed in, noting the bureau is assisting the Secret Service with the probe.

"We are aware of the recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, directed at President Trump," Patel said. "We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director Curran. Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support."

The controversy erupted as Trump, 78, navigates heightened security concerns following two assassination attempts in 2024: a July shooting in Butler, Pa., that grazed his ear, killed one person, and injured two others, and a September incident where a would-be assassin was thwarted outside Trump’s Palm Beach golf course.

Comey, who spearheaded the FBI’s 2016 probe into alleged Trump-Russia collusion based on the debunked Steele dossier, claimed ignorance of the post’s implications.

After taking down the photo of the suspected cryptic message, Comey issued a statement on Instagram.

“I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message. I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence," the former FBI director wrote. "It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down."

Comey's supporters argue “86” merely means to discard or veto, suggesting the message implied Trump should be impeached, not harmed.

However, critics, even right-wing commentator Meghan McCain, dismissed this defense.

"Don’t know how this can be interpreted as any other way but a threat against President Trump," McCain wrote on X. "James Comey should, at the very least get a visit from the secret service. Also, is everyone mentally ill?"

By Thursday night, “Comey” was the top trending term on X in the U.S., with over 213,000 posts.

Neither the Secret Service nor Comey’s publisher responded to requests for comment.

The investigation unfolds against the backdrop of Comey’s contentious history with Trump, including his 2017 firing and subsequent leaking of private memos to the press.

In an email to FBI staff at the time, Comey wrote, "I have long believed that a president can fire an FBI director for any reason, or for no reason at all. I’m not going to spend time on the decision or the way it was executed. I hope you won’t either. It is done, and I will be fine, although I will miss you and the mission deeply."

As the Secret Service probes the alleged threat, the incident has reignited fierce debate over political rhetoric and the safety of the nation’s leader.