AG Open to Whitmer Probe Over 86 45 Display
Gretchen Whitmer 86 45 investigation
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated on Wednesday that the Justice Department has not ruled out a federal investigation into Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The potential probe centers on a past incident where an “86 45” emblem was visible during a virtual media appearance. This development follows Tuesday’s second indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, who faces charges for a social media post depicting seashells arranged to read “86 47.”
Federal prosecutors have interpreted the “86” prefix as a threat to the president’s life, as the numbers “45” and “47” refer to Donald Trump’s presidential terms. When questioned by reporters about whether the governor would face similar scrutiny for her previous display, Blanche stated that the department remains committed to investigating all potential threats against the president.
He noted that while each case is unique, the facts surrounding the display of such imagery will be reviewed to determine if criminal intent existed.
The controversy stems from a 2020 interview on “Meet the Press” where the “86 45” emblem was spotted in the background of Governor Whitmer’s home office.
At the time, the Trump campaign accused her of encouraging violence, though the governor’s office maintained the imagery was a standard political expression. The renewed interest in the matter coincides with a broader effort by the current Justice Department to prosecute individuals perceived to have made threats against the administration. Legal experts suggest that the successful indictment of James Comey has established a precedent for interpreting numerical slang as actionable threats under federal law.
As the administration continues its review of past and present communications, the governor has yet to release a formal statement regarding the acting attorney general’s comments. Further updates on the status of this potential investigation and its implications for political speech can be found through regional and national outlets, including Michigan Public and The Guardian.
