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California Republican Leaders Call for Los Altos Vice Mayor’s Resignation Over Controversial “86 47” Posts
California Republican Party leaders and conservative figures are demanding the resignation of Los Altos Vice Mayor Larry Lang after he posted “86 47” on social media multiple times, including as a comment on an official California Republican Party Facebook post.
The now-deleted posts, screenshots of which were obtained and shared by the California GOP, showed Lang using the same controversial “86 47” seashell formation image that recently led to former FBI Director James Comey’s federal indictment for allegedly threatening the president.
“This death threat directed at Donald Trump is unacceptable,” California GOP Chairperson Corrin Rankin said Friday in a statement on X. “Either this elected ‘leader’ is completely unaware of recent events, or he is somehow fueling the violence that erodes our political system. Los Altos deserves leaders who unite the community and focus on solutions.”
The state Republican Party echoed Rankin’s remarks, urging Democrats to “stop advocating for the death of Donald Trump and Republicans.” The controversy comes during heightened tensions following several security incidents involving the former president, including an assassination attempt at a rally in July and a more recent incident near Trump’s golf club in Florida.
When contacted for comment, Lang’s email returned an automatic response indicating he was “traveling” until May 4. His Facebook profile showed the controversial image had been removed as of Friday.
Lang, who currently serves as vice mayor on the Los Altos City Council, also sits on more than half a dozen regional boards of directors. City council members did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.
The phrase “86 47” has become politically charged in recent months. In restaurant and bar industry slang, “86” traditionally means to remove or get rid of something, while “47” refers to Donald Trump’s position as the 47th President of the United States. The combination has been interpreted by some as suggesting violence against the president.
Conservative social media account Libs of TikTok joined the calls for Lang’s removal, posting “He needs to resign as vice mayor!” Republican National Committee spokesperson Nick Poche went further, saying, “We suggest he resign to check into a mental hospital,” while urging Democrats to “immediately dial back their unhinged rhetoric.”
The controversy mirrors the recent case of James Comey, who was indicted for a second time by the Justice Department last month over an Instagram post featuring the same “86 47” shell formation on a beach. Comey removed his post the same day it was uploaded, later claiming he had misinterpreted the shells as a general political message.
The former FBI director now faces charges of making threats to harm the president and transmitting a threat in interstate commerce. If convicted, Comey could face up to 10 years in prison, according to the Justice Department.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in California politics, where Republicans have been working to gain ground after 16 years of Democratic control at the state level. Rankin, featured in the Facebook post that Lang commented on, had been discussing a recent gubernatorial debate where she argued that Democrats in the state “have no solutions” and that Californians are ready for new leadership.
Legal experts continue to debate whether such “86 47” references constitute protected political speech or rise to the level of actual threats. The outcome of Comey’s case may establish important precedent for how similar expressions are handled by law enforcement and the courts in the future.
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6 Comments
This is a difficult situation without easy answers. While the language used was concerning, I hope the Vice Mayor and community can come together to find a constructive path forward that brings people together rather than divides them further.
Elected leaders need to be careful with their words and actions, as they can have a major impact. I’m curious to hear the Vice Mayor’s explanation for these posts and what steps he plans to take to rebuild trust with the community.
It’s disappointing to see this kind of rhetoric from a local official. Even if it was not intended as a threat, using language associated with violence is unwise and counterproductive. Hopefully this can be resolved through open dialogue and a renewed commitment to civil discourse.
This seems like a complex situation with room for differing interpretations. I’ll be interested to follow how it unfolds and whether the Vice Mayor is able to clarify his intent and repair the damage. Clear communication is crucial for elected leaders.
This is a concerning situation. While political discourse can be heated, elected officials should aim to bring communities together, not inflame tensions. I hope the Vice Mayor clarifies his intent and that all sides can move forward constructively.
Heated political rhetoric is never helpful, especially from those in positions of leadership. I hope the Vice Mayor takes this as a learning opportunity and demonstrates a renewed commitment to civil discourse and bringing the community together.