The lead prosecutor overseeing the case against former FBI Director James Comey has withdrawn without explanation, according to court filings. Matthew Petracca, the sole prosecutor assigned to the case, was replaced by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo in a filing submitted late Friday. The Justice Department did not provide a reason for the change. Comey faces charges for allegedly threatening President Donald Trump by posting an Instagram photo of seashells arranged as '86 47,' which some interpreted as a coded threat referencing Trump as the 47th president. Comey's legal team plans to challenge the case on grounds of selective prosecution. The trial is scheduled for October.
Background and Context
The case stems from a May 2025 Instagram post where Comey shared an image of seashells forming the numbers '86 47.' Critics, including Trump allies, argued the number '86'—slang for 'throw out' or 'get rid of'—implied a threat against the president. Comey later deleted the post, stating he was unaware of the violent connotation. Prosecutors allege the post violated federal laws against threatening a president. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the charges, claiming Comey's post crossed into criminal territory. Meanwhile, Comey's supporters argue the indictment is politically motivated, citing a previous dismissed case against him. Petracca's sudden departure raises questions about the case's future, though the DOJ has not commented on the change.