James Comey Indicted Again Over Controversial Seashell Photo

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted for a second time following a Justice Department probe into a social media post featuring seashells. The new charges center on an Instagram post in which Comey shared a photo of seashells arranged to form the numbers 86 47.

The indictment, announced Tuesday, April 28, 2026, alleges that the post constituted a threat against the life of President Donald Trump. This legal action follows a separate, broader indictment filed in September 2025, which included charges of lying to Congress and leaking information; that previous case was subsequently thrown out of court.

The Dispute Over ’86 47′

The core of the current prosecution involves the interpretation of the number 86. Comey stated that he found the seashell collection on a beach in North Carolina. In the context of restaurant industry parlance, the term 86 is used to indicate that a customer or a specific dish should be removed or is no longer available, rather than as a directive to kill.

The number 47 in the photo refers to the 47th president of the United States. While Comey later deleted the post following a public uproar and stated he did not intend to suggest political violence, the Justice Department has pursued the matter as a criminal threat.

President Donald Trump has offered a conflicting interpretation of the terminology. On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Trump told reporters that the term 86 is a mob term for kill them and referenced mobster tropes from movies. When questioned by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on whether he believed his life was in danger, Trump responded probably.

Trump has a history of using derogatory language to describe the former FBI chief, previously referring to Comey as scum, slimeball and a lying scumbag. In his recent comments, Trump further described Comey as a crooked man and a dirty cop, claiming that people like Comey have created significant danger for other politicians.

Legal and Political Reactions

The indictment has drawn criticism from various legal experts and political commentators, some of whom argue the case is a form of political retribution. Ty Cobb, who served as a White House lawyer during Trump’s first term, told CNN that the move is classic revenge and predicted the charges would be thrown out.

Constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley expressed skepticism regarding the strength of the evidence during an appearance on Fox News.

I must be in a parallel universe to be talking about the shell art of James Comey…Just showing the picture’s going to be a weak case in terms of a threat.

Jonathan Turley

Andy McCarthy, a former federal prosecutor and writer for National Review, characterized the proceedings as a farce and a continuation of a lawfare campaign against a political opponent. McCarthy argued that while a conviction is inconceivable under these circumstances, the process subjects Comey to significant stigma, expense, and anxiety.

ABC’s Jonathan Karl reported that some of the president’s own allies have privately described the indictment as embarrassing or depressing.

Justice Department Position

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has denied allegations that President Trump ordered the indictment. Speaking to CBS on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Blanche argued that the focus on the seashells is a distraction from the core issue of presidential security.

Anybody who tries to put forward some narrative that What we have is just about seashells or something to the contrary is missing the point. You cannot threaten the president of the United States.

Todd Blanche

The current administration’s approach to the Justice Department has faced scrutiny, with reports indicating that President Trump has been dissatisfied with the pace of various probes. This dissatisfaction reportedly led to the firing of Pam Bondi as attorney general.

In response to the new charges, James Comey maintained his innocence through an online post.

I’m still innocent, I’m still not afraid, and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary, so let’s go.

James Comey