In a stunning turn of events, former FBI Director James Comey’s innocuous social media post featuring seashells has ignited a fierce backlash from Republican circles, with accusations of incitement against President Trump. The post, which included the cryptic numbers “8647,” has been interpreted by some as a call for violence, while GOP figures, including current FBI Director Cash Patel, leap to respond with alarming fervor.

Patel took to Twitter to express concern over Comey’s post, stating the FBI is in communication with the Secret Service regarding the matter. This response has raised eyebrows, especially considering Patel himself has been linked to a viral video depicting him wielding a chainsaw against political opponents, including prominent Democrats. Critics are now questioning the hypocrisy of the GOP’s outrage—a stark contrast to their silence during Trump’s explicit violent imagery targeted at his political foes.

The irony is palpable. While Republican leaders are clutching their pearls over a harmless photo, they’ve overlooked Patel’s own reckless online behavior, which included sharing a meme suggesting a literal chainsaw attack. As Trump and his allies focus on trivial distractions, serious issues like economic turmoil loom large, with tariffs sending the nation spiraling toward recession.

In a political landscape rife with manufactured outrage, the GOP’s selective indignation over Comey’s lighthearted post reflects a deeper strategy: to divert attention from Trump’s policy failures and maintain a grip on power. As the nation grapples with rising prices and health care uncertainty, the focus remains fixated on a beach photo. This unfolding drama underscores the urgent need for accountability, signaling that the stakes in American politics have never been higher.