The US Justice Department argued that former FBI director intentionally threatened the life of Donald Trump

The US Justice Department argued that former FBI director James B. Comey intentionally threatened the life of President Donald Trump, the Washington Post (WP) reports.

‘’ The Justice Department argued this week that former FBI director James B. Comey intentionally threatened the life of President DonaldTrump in a social media post in part to stir controversy and boost sales of his then-forthcoming novel’’, the article reads.

Comey published a photo of shells arranged in the shape of the numbers “86 47.”

Trump is the 47th president, while “86” can mean banning or removing someone, and sometimes can also be slang for killing them. Comey, a longtime outspoken foe of the president, quickly removed the post after receiving criticism that the phrase could be used to communicate a threat of violence.

Comey has said he stumbled on the shell formation during a walk along the beach and did not arrange the shells himself. He has also said he did not know that those numbers could be construed as a violent threat and that he removed the photo as soon as he was informed of that.