House Republicans introduce legislation that would bar Comey from federal positions

Lawmakers on the House Republican Study Committee on Friday introduced a resolution that would block former FBI Director James Comey from holding a federal position if passed. 

The resolution comes after Comey shared a post on Instagram that appeared to call for the removal or assassination of President Donald Trump. The Thursday post, which has since been deleted, showed the numbers "8647" etched in the sand at a beach via seashells. 

The numbers are perceived as a call to "86" the 47th president, which can be used as a call sign for murder. 

The proposed resolution “urges the relevant authorities to take every relevant action to ensure that [Comey] is never again permitted to serve as an employee of the federal government." 

It also suggests the Justice Department “conduct[s] a full and comprehensive investigation" into the social media post, "and release the findings of that investigation to the relevant House Committees and the public.”

Comey has attempted to walk back the Instagram post, claiming he was unaware of the violent connotations affiliated with the numbers, despite being a former high-ranking law enforcement officer, but admitted that he believed the numbers were political. 

Trump and other Republicans have rejected that argument, with Trump claiming that even a "child knew what that meant."

"If you're the FBI director and you don't know what that meant? That meant assassination. And it says it loud and clear," the president said.

RSC Chairman August Pfluger also did not appear to believe Comey's justification, stating the former director betrayed the "trust once placed in him by the American people."

“That someone who once held one of our nation’s most sacred positions of law enforcement would incite such dangerous rhetoric is not just alarming — it’s disqualifying and un-American,” Pfluger said in a statement. “This resolution demands the accountability and transparency the American people deserve, ensuring Comey never again holds a position of public trust.”

The Secret Service is leading the investigation into the social media post, with assistance from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.