Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted for posting an Instagram photo showing seashells arranged in the numbers '8647', which officials interpreted as a threat against President Donald Trump. The criminal case is part of the Trump administration's effort to prosecute political opponents, according to multiple reports.
Key Takeaways
Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted for posting a photo of seashells arranged in '8647', which officials interpreted as a threat against President Donald Trump. The case is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to prosecute political opponents.
- Former FBI Director James Comey indicted over Instagram post seen as threatening Trump
- Post featured seashells arranged in numbers '8647,' interpreted as reference to removing 47th president
- Indictment includes violations of statutes criminalizing threats against the president and interstate communications containing threats
- Legal experts divided on First Amendment challenges; some argue charges may face constitutional hurdles
The charges stem from a May 2025 post where Comey shared a photo of seashells arranged in '8647'. Officials interpreted this as referencing Trump, being the 47th U.S. president, with 'eighty-six' slang for 'remove' or 'eject'. The indictment includes violations of statutes criminalizing threats against the president (18 U.S.C. § 871) and interstate communications containing threats to harm others (18 U.S.C. § 875(c)).
Comey denied threatening Trump, stating he opposed violence of any kind and deleted the post shortly after it was made. He explained that he assumed the numbers reflected a political message, not a call to violence. The case was filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina, where Comey found the seashells.
Legal experts are divided on whether the charges would withstand First Amendment challenges. George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley argued that if based solely on the image, it could face significant constitutional hurdles. Others, like Mike Davis of the Article III Project, contend that threats against a sitting president fall outside protected speech.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal lawyer, secured the indictment. According to CBS News, Blanche denied on 'CBS Mornings' that President Trump directed the Justice Department to pursue charges against Comey, stating it was an investigation conducted over nearly a year resulting in a grand jury returning an indictment.
The Justice Department held a news briefing emphasizing that the case is similar to other threats cases they routinely bring. Comey's legal team has stated they will contest these charges and look forward to vindicating him and the First Amendment.
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