Missouri Democratic candidate Bekki Brewer deleted a photo after an "8647" sign beside her drew accusations it advocated violence against Donald Trump. Brewer said the sign referred to the 25th Amendment and denied supporting political violence. The "8647" slogan has drawn federal scrutiny following high-profile incidents, including a post by former FBI Director James Comey and a large marking found near the Washington Monument. Brewer says she will attend a Centralia forum to address voters and keep the campaign focused on local issues.
Missouri Candidate Bekki Brewer Deletes Photo After '8647' Sign Draws Scrutiny
The image posted on Instagram by Comey in May 2025. It was accompanied by the caption: "Cool shell formation on my beach walk." (Comey/Instagram)
Missouri House candidate Bekki Brewer removed a social media photo after critics said a nearby sign reading "8647" advocated violence against former President Donald Trump. Brewer, the Democratic nominee for House District 44, said the sign referred to the 25th Amendment and denied any support for political violence.
Brewer's Response
"The sign in the photo was referring to the 25th Amendment. It was not a call for political violence," Brewer told Newsweek. She added that the amendment provides a constitutional process to transfer presidential powers if an officeholder is unable to carry out their duties and that she "fully support[s] invoking that amendment when necessary."
Brewer later deleted the post. The image circulated after the conservative account Libs of TikTok reposted it and asserted the slogan "symbolizes killing" Trump; the account and several users also tagged the FBI in follow-up posts.
What "8647" Means and Why It Attracted Attention
The shorthand "8647" blends the slang "86"—commonly used to mean ejecting or getting rid of something—with "47," a reference to Trump as the 47th president. The phrase has become a contentious anti-Trump slogan and has prompted federal scrutiny over whether it constitutes a threat.
In May 2025, former FBI Director James Comey posted a photo of seashells arranged to spell "86 47." He later deleted the image and said he had not understood any violent implications; a federal grand jury has since brought related charges in connection with that post. Then-Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said following the indictment that "threatening the life of the President of the United States is a grave violation of our nation's laws."
Other Incidents and Investigations
Authorities have investigated multiple "8647" incidents. In June, officials found a large "8647" marking etched into the grass near the Washington Monument on the National Mall; the Interior Department called it vandalism and said any perceived threat to the president is taken seriously. The slogan was also scrawled on an exhibit at the Great American State Fair in Texas that same month, prompting its removal and an investigation. A spokesperson for Texas Governor Greg Abbott described that marking to Newsweek as "disgusting anti-Trump political graffiti."
Local Focus
Brewer told supporters she will attend a community forum in Centralia this weekend to answer voters' questions, and she reiterated that her campaign will stay focused on local issues. "I understand that people who see a photo online may not have the full context, but I'm not going to let a photo or the outrage surrounding it distract from why I decided to run," she wrote on Facebook.
Brewer is the Democratic candidate for Missouri House District 44 in the November 3 general election.
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