Virginia Man Charged with Threatening Trump | Comey’s Lawyer to Defend

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Former FBI Director James Comey surrendered to federal authorities in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday after being indicted on charges of threatening President Donald Trump. The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury in North Carolina, alleges that Comey threatened Trump through a social media post featuring an arrangement of seashells.

According to the Department of Justice, the two-count indictment accuses Comey of violating 18 U.S.C. § 871, which concerns threats against the President and 18 U.S.C. § 875(c), relating to transmitting threats in interstate commerce. Prosecutors claim that Comey knowingly and willfully made a threat to harm President Trump by posting an image on Instagram on May 15, 2025, depicting seashells arranged to spell “86 47.” The government argues that a reasonable person familiar with the context would interpret this as a serious expression of intent to cause harm.

“Threatening the life of the President of the United States is a grave violation of our nation’s laws,”

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche

Comey appeared in federal court in Alexandria on Wednesday, where his lawyer, Patrick Fitzgerald, announced intentions to file a motion to dismiss the case. Fitzgerald argued the case is an example of “vindictive prosecution,” a claim he previously made in another federal criminal case against Comey last fall, which was later dismissed on other grounds. He also requested the court preserve any inflammatory statements made by Trump and the Department of Justice regarding Comey.

Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick allowed Comey to remain free without conditions pending trial, referencing a previous case involving the former FBI director. Fitzpatrick had handled Comey’s first appearance in that earlier case as well.

The case has drawn attention to concerns about potential political motivations within the Justice Department. The indictment follows a period of heightened political tension, including an incident over the weekend where an armed suspect approached President Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association gala dinner.

Trump has repeatedly called for the prosecution of his political opponents, with Comey being a frequent target. Comey previously oversaw the investigation into potential coordination between Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and Russia.

Following the indictment, Comey stated, “I’m still innocent, I’m still not afraid, and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary.”

The charges against Comey stem from a post on Instagram featuring an image of seashells arranged to form the message “86 47” on a North Carolina beach. The meaning of this arrangement is central to the prosecution’s case, with authorities arguing it constitutes a veiled threat against the President.