Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted for a second time, this time over an Instagram post featuring seashells arranged to spell '86 47.' The indictment alleges Comey violated federal law by threatening President Donald Trump and transmitting a threat in interstate commerce. The post, made in May 2025, included the caption 'Cool shell formation on my beach walk.'
Comey was previously indicted in September 2025 on charges of lying to Congress, but that case was dismissed due to procedural issues. The latest charges stem from interpretations of '86 47' as a coded threat, with some linking it to Trump, the 47th president. Comey has denied any malicious intent, calling the post a coincidence.
President Trump commented on the indictment, suggesting Comey may have endangered his life. 'Probably, I don’t know,' Trump said. 'Based on what I’m seeing out there, yeah.' He also referenced '86' as a mob term for killing someone. Comey has released a video defending himself, calling the charges politically motivated.
The case has sparked debate, with some arguing the post was a genuine mistake and others insisting Comey, as a former FBI director, should have known the implications of such a message. Former Trump adviser Alina Habba defended the indictment, while 'The View' co-host Sunny Hostin criticized it as vindictive.