‘Dare Us to Be Arrested’: Candidate Promotes ‘8647’ Merchandise Following Comey Indictment

“Arrest us all. I dare you,” declared Mark Davis, an Air Force veteran and congressional candidate, as he ramped up his campaign centered around the provocative “8647” slogan. This bold statement comes on the heels of the Justice Department's indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, who faced scrutiny for sharing an Instagram photo featuring the numbers.

Davis, an independent candidate vying for a seat in Florida’s 16th district, has made “8647” a central theme of his campaign. He drives a vehicle adorned with an “8647” license plate and sports an “86 47” hat, while also selling merchandise emblazoned with the numbers on his campaign website.

The numbers have emerged as a rallying cry among those opposing President Donald Trump—where “86” signifies the act of removing something, and “47” represents Trump’s presidential number. The controversy intensified when Comey was indicted for allegedly threatening the president through his Instagram post, which depicted seashells arranged to form “86 47.”

Despite the backlash, Davis remains steadfast in his support for the slogan. “I am done staying quiet,” he expressed in an interview. “I’ve got a family, I’ve got kids, and I’m watching this country get dragged through chaos while people are going to sit down and shut up. And I am not doing that, and millions of other people aren’t doing it, either.”

Since launching his campaign last year, Davis has utilized “86 47” to voice his opposition to Trump. Following Comey’s indictment, he shared a photo on social media wearing his signature hat alongside his “8647” license plate, quipping, “Thanks a lot DOJ… You just made this a little awkward.”

He plans to don his merchandise daily leading up to the congressional election, signaling his commitment to the cause. Comey, a long-time critic of Trump, was indicted again recently for the Instagram post that Trump interpreted as a call for violence. “Well, if anybody knows anything about crime, they know ‘86,’” Trump remarked. “You know what ‘86’ – it’s a mob term for ‘kill him.’ You know?”

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In response to these allegations, Comey has denied that his post was intended as a violent message. Davis dismissed the interpretation as “silly,” asserting that “86” is merely a restaurant term.

Davis is not alone in capitalizing on the “86 47” phenomenon; numerous online platforms offer merchandise related to the slogan. On Amazon, variations of t-shirts can be found for as low as $10, while sites like Redbubble and Etsy feature stickers, hats, posters, and more.

Previously indicted by the Trump administration last year for allegedly lying to Congress, Comey pleaded not guilty. However, a federal judge later dismissed the case, citing issues with the prosecutor's appointment.