Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted by a grand jury in North Carolina, accused of threatening the life of President Donald Trump through a cryptic Instagram...
Prosecutors allege that a “reasonable recipient” familiar with the context would interpret the post as a threat against Trump, who is the 47th president of the United States.
The Instagram post, which has since been deleted, showed a beach scene with the numbers “86 47” spelled out in seashells, accompanied by the caption “Cool shell formation...
Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted by a grand jury in North Carolina, accused of threatening the life of President Donald Trump through a cryptic Instagram post. The indictment, announced on Tuesday, centers around a photograph Comey shared last year depicting seashells arranged to form the numbers “86 47.”
Prosecutors allege that a “reasonable recipient” familiar with the context would interpret the post as a threat against Trump, who is the 47th president of the United States. The term “86,” according to the indictment, is slang for “nix” or “get rid of.”
Controversial Instagram Post
The Instagram post, which has since been deleted, showed a beach scene with the numbers “86 47” spelled out in seashells, accompanied by the caption “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.” The post sparked immediate controversy, with allies of President Trump claiming it was a veiled threat.
President Trump Controversial Instagram Post The Response and
According to court documents, Comey faces two charges: one for threats against the president and successors, and another for transmitting a threat in interstate commerce. Each charge carries a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Comey’s Response and Previous Indictment
Responding to the indictment, Comey posted online, stating, “Nothing has changed with me. I’m still innocent, I’m still not afraid and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary so let’s go…” This is not the first time the Department of Justice has attempted to prosecute Comey; a previous indictment on unrelated charges was dismissed last year by a judge.
Official Statements
“James Comey disgracefully encouraged a threat on President Trump’s life and posted it on Instagram for the world to see,”
From Instagram — related to President Trump, Director Kash Patel
FBI Director Kash Patel
FBI Director Kash Patel made the statement at a press conference announcing the indictment. He emphasized that as the former director of the FBI, Comey “knew full well the attention and consequences of making such a post.”
The Justice Department secured the indictment in the Eastern District of North Carolina, where Comey owns a beach house and originally posted the photograph. The Department of Homeland Security had previously investigated Comey over the post, even questioning him through the Secret Service.
Comey’s Explanation
Comey has maintained his innocence, stating that he did not realize the numbers in the photograph would be interpreted as violent. He initially explained that he believed the shells represented a political message and “didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence.” He added that he opposes violence “of any kind.”
The case renews efforts to prosecute a long-time adversary of President Trump, following previous attempts that were unsuccessful. The investigation into the Instagram post began nearly a year ago, quickly drawing criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.
Former FBI Director James Comey indicted over seashell Instagram post
