Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted for a second time by the Department of Justice (DOJ) over an Instagram post allegedly threatening President Donald Trump. The post, showing seashells arranged to read '86 47,' is claimed by prosecutors to reference eliminating Trump, who was the 47th president. Comey denies any violent intent and has called the charges politically motivated. A trial is scheduled for July 2024.
Comey's Response and Legal Strategy
In his first public comments since the indictment, Comey told MSNBC that the case is part of Trump's 'bottomless desire to gain revenge.' He suggested that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is prosecuting the case to satisfy Trump's demands. Comey also expressed concern about the DOJ's direction under Trump's administration, stating, 'I’m very concerned for what’s happening at the Department of Justice and the FBI.'
Background and Context
The case centers on a now-deleted Instagram post from April 2024, which prosecutors argue was a coded threat. '86' is alleged to mean 'eliminate,' while '47' refers to Trump's presidential term. A similar charge against Comey was dismissed late last year before Blanche took over the DOJ. Comey was previously fired by Trump in 2017, a move that became central to the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Political and Legal Implications
Comey has faced legal and political pressure from the Trump administration, including a separate case in September 2025 over allegations of lying to Congress about leaks to the press. He has dismissed the charges as politically motivated, stating, 'This is only going to go away when this administration leaves office.' Trump has renewed attacks on Comey, calling the case a 'witch hunt.'
Broader Concerns
Comey has expressed broader concerns about the DOJ's independence, stating, 'I’m very concerned for the country.' He has vowed to continue criticizing Trump, saying, 'I’m not going to stop criticizing him, because I think that’s required if you care about America.'