The California Democrat’s campaign shared a photo of a demonstrator holding a “Get into some good trouble 8647” sign.
Republicans called on Rep. Derek Tran, D-Calif., Monday to delete and apologize for a campaign social media post after one of its photos from a Friday John Lewis vigil in Brea showed a demonstrator holding a sign reading, “Get into some good trouble 8647,” a message critics interpreted as targeting President Donald Trump.
National Republican Congressional Committee Western Regional Press Secretary Christian Martinez condemned Tran for sharing the image following two attempts on Trump’s life.
“After President Trump survived two assassination attempts, deranged Derek Tran’s decision to promote this is disgusting,” Martinez said.
Martinez then demanded that the first-term congressman remove the post and explain why his campaign circulated the photograph.
“Tran is either too stupid to understand the message or too radical to care,” Martinez said. “He should delete the post, apologize, and explain why he is giving political violence a wink and a nod.”
Tran’s campaign shared four photographs Saturday after its Democracy Summer fellows attended the candlelight vigil organized by Indivisible CA-45.
“Our Democracy Summer Fellows joined Indivisible CA-45 to celebrate and honor the life of late Congressman John Lewis,” Tran’s campaign said.
The campaign connected the gathering to Lewis’ civil rights work and calls for equality.
“It’s up to us to defend his legacy and mission to create a more equal and just country for all,” the campaign said.
The Orange County Republican Party also reacted to the photograph with a brief question directed at the congressman.
“What’s wrong with @DerekTranCA45?” the county party said.
The combination “86 47” has become a disputed political message. The number 86 can mean removing or getting rid of something, while 47 refers to Trump as the 47th president. Republicans and administration officials have argued that the combination can be interpreted as a call for violence.
A federal grand jury in April indicted former FBI Director James Comey after he posted a photograph of seashells arranged to display “86 47.” The Justice Department’s two-count indictment alleged the image constituted a threat to harm Trump. Comey denied intending violence and is presumed innocent.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed the political climate when the Justice Department announced the charges.
“The temperature needs to be turned down, and anyone who dials it up and threatens the life of the President will be held accountable,” Blanche said.
In a separate case, a federal judge ruled that an “8647” flag displayed during an impeachment demonstration constituted protected political speech in that context. The June court opinion did not involve Tran or resolve Comey’s criminal case.
Trump was struck by a bullet during the July 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. Ryan Routh was later sentenced to life in prison for attempting to kill Trump at his Florida golf course that September.
The Brea vigil marked six years since Lewis’ death. The House historian describes “good trouble” as Lewis’ term for civil disobedience within the political process.
Tran’s post remained online Monday afternoon.
