Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) sparked intense social media debate Sunday by posting the numerical code “86 47” on X, the same phrase at the center of a recent federal indictment against former FBI Director James Comey.
The congressman’s post served as a direct response to a clip of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s appearance on “Meet the Press,” where Blanche discussed the government’s legal posture regarding alleged threats against President Donald Trump.
The phrase “86 47” has become a flashpoint in national security and political discourse. In restaurant slang, “86” means to cancel or eject someone, while “47” refers to Trump’s status as the 47th president.
Federal authorities took legal action against Comey last Tuesday, following a May 2025 Instagram post featuring seashells arranged to spell out the numbers. Prosecutors argue the post constituted a threat to assassinate the president, while supporters of the former FBI director maintain the phrase is protected political speech.
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Lieu, a frequent critic of the Trump administration, used his post to predict a total failure for the Department of Justice’s current strategy.
“Here are three things that will happen: 1. DOJ will lose the Comey case. 2. In the next Administration, Comey will get a big monetary settlement for selective prosecution. 3. After this Administration ends, @DAGToddBlanche will get disbarred. 86 47,” Lieu wrote in one of a few posts.
The controversy is heightened by local ties in Lieu’s own district. The congressman represents Torrance, California, the hometown of Cole Allen, a teacher currently charged with attempting to assassinate Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25.
In a manifesto, Allen used rhetoric similar to Lieu’s previous public statements, including claims made during a Feb. 3 press conference where Lieu referenced Epstein-related allegations that the DOJ has characterized as false.
Legal experts remain divided on whether the “86 47” slogan meets the high bar for a “true threat.” Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, has publicly expressed skepticism about the case against Comey, suggesting that the prosecution might infringe upon First Amendment rights.
READ: Comey Hit With Second Round Of Federal Charges Over ‘8647’ Instagram Post
This legal battle unfolds against a backdrop of unprecedented security concerns for the executive branch. President Trump has survived multiple attempts on his life, including two during the 2024 campaign in Butler, Pennsylvania, and West Palm Beach, Florida, as well as previous plots involving poisoned mail and a 2016 incident in Las Vegas.
While Lieu’s post was cheered by protesters on Friday, it has drawn sharp condemnation from those who view the code as an incitement to violence rather than a call for political removal.
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