Congress Demands Investigation and Permanent Job Ban for Former FBI Director Comey Over Instagram Post

This Congressional resolution is essentially a formal declaration of war against former FBI Director James B. Comey, specifically targeting a social media post he made back in May 2025. The bill states that Congress condemns Comey for posting an Instagram image showing the numbers "86 47" with the caption "cool shell formation," arguing this was a "veiled threat promoting violence" against President Trump. This resolution isn’t just a strongly worded letter; it uses the power of Congress to demand two concrete actions: a permanent ban on Comey holding any future federal job and a full-scale investigation into his actions by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The '86 47' Controversy and the Reach of Political Speech

The entire resolution hinges on the interpretation of a cryptic Instagram post. For those of us who grew up online, the term "86" often means to get rid of, cancel, or stop something—a term borrowed from the restaurant industry. Congress is interpreting this, combined with the number "47" (referencing the 47th presidency), as a call to violence against the President. This is where things get tricky: using a legislative resolution to define and punish political speech based on a subjective interpretation of an internet meme. For everyday people, this raises the question of where the line is drawn between political commentary and incitement, especially when Congress is using that interpretation to demand an investigation by federal law enforcement agencies like the DOJ and DHS.

Blacklisting a Former Official: What This Means for Federal Jobs

One of the most striking parts of this resolution is the demand that government bodies "take every necessary step" to permanently bar Mr. Comey from holding any job with the Federal Government ever again. Think about that: Congress is attempting to use a resolution to effectively blacklist a specific individual from public service for life based on their political speech. While this is aimed at a high-profile figure, the core principle affects anyone who has ever worked for the government or considered it. If Congress can use a resolution to demand the professional destruction of a former official over a social media post, it could create a massive chilling effect, causing current and former federal employees (from civil servants to military personnel) to heavily self-censor any political opinions for fear of professional retaliation.

Leveraging Federal Agencies for Political Investigation

The resolution doesn't stop at blacklisting; it formally demands that the DOJ and DHS launch a "complete and thorough investigation" into Comey's alleged efforts to stir up violence. This involves Congress directing executive branch agencies to use their resources—which are funded by your tax dollars—to pursue a highly specific, politically motivated investigation into a private citizen. While the resolution demands the findings be made public and shared with Congress, the immediate impact is the use of federal investigative power to settle a political score. This raises serious concerns about the separation of powers and whether Congress is using formal declarations to target political opponents rather than focusing on broader legislative issues that affect the country.