WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES
The United States Department of Justice has once again brought former FBI Director James Comey into the center of national attention, announcing a new federal indictment tied to a controversial social media post that prosecutors say amounted to a threat against President Donald Trump.
A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina returned the indictment on April 28, accusing Comey of violating federal laws related to threats against the president. The case focuses on an Instagram post he shared in May 2025, where he uploaded a photograph of seashells arranged to display the numbers “86 47,” describing it as a “cool shell formation.”
Federal prosecutors argue that the meaning behind the post was far more serious. According to the Justice Department, the number “86” is commonly understood as slang for eliminating or getting rid of someone, while “47” is seen as a reference to Trump’s position as the 47th president of the United States. Officials say the combination could reasonably be interpreted as a direct threat to harm the president.
Comey now faces two federal charges: threatening the president under U.S. law and transmitting a threat in interstate commerce through an online platform. If convicted, he could face up to ten years in prison.
The former FBI chief has strongly denied any criminal intent. Shortly after backlash over the post, Comey deleted it and publicly stated that he did not arrange the shells himself. He said he had simply come across the display and shared it without realizing that some people connected “86” with violence. He insisted he never intended to encourage harm and described the prosecution as politically motivated.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the indictment, saying threats against the president must be treated with the utmost seriousness, especially during a period of heightened political tension in the country. FBI Director Kash Patel also commented, saying Comey, given his former position leading the bureau, fully understood how such a message could be interpreted.
This marks Comey’s second indictment in recent months. A previous 2025 case accused him of misleading Congress over matters linked to FBI leak investigations. That earlier case was later dismissed by a judge due to legal concerns surrounding the prosecutor’s appointment, though parts of the broader dispute remain under appeal.
The new charges are expected to deepen political debate, particularly given Trump and Comey’s long and bitter history since Trump fired him in 2017. Legal analysts say the upcoming court battle may center on whether the Instagram post qualifies as a true criminal threat or falls under protected free speech.
For now, James Comey remains presumed innocent as the case moves forward in federal court.
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