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Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted in connection with a social media post showing seashells arranged to read “86 47” on a beach, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press. The specific charges against Comey remain undisclosed at this time.
The Justice Department’s action marks the second criminal case against Comey, a notable critic of former President Donald Trump. The indictment comes as acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appears to be establishing his credentials for permanent appointment to the position.
The controversy stems from a photo Comey shared earlier this year that Trump administration officials claimed advocated for the assassination of Trump, who served as the 47th president of the United States. After posting the image, Comey quickly deleted it, explaining, “I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence” and affirming, “I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.”
In May, Comey was questioned by the Secret Service regarding the post. The term “86” is commonly understood in restaurant and bar settings as slang meaning “to throw out” or “to get rid of,” according to Merriam-Webster dictionary. While some have adopted an extension of the term to mean “to kill,” the dictionary notes this usage is relatively recent and sparse.
Trump, during a Fox News interview in May, rejected Comey’s explanation, stating, “A child knows what that meant. If you’re the FBI director and you don’t know what that meant, that meant assassination. And it says it loud and clear.”
The timing of this new case is notable as it follows months after an unrelated indictment against Comey was dismissed. In September, he faced charges of lying to and obstructing Congress regarding testimony from 2020 about whether he had authorized sharing inside information with a journalist. That case was later thrown out after a judge ruled the prosecutor who brought the indictment had been illegally appointed.
Legal experts suggest the Justice Department’s renewed pursuit of charges against Comey could fuel allegations that the Trump administration is specifically targeting the former FBI director. Comey had overseen the early stages of the investigation into potential coordination between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia to influence the election outcome.
Comey’s relationship with Trump was contentious from the beginning of Trump’s presidency in 2017. Having been appointed FBI director by former President Barack Obama, Comey reportedly resisted Trump’s request for personal loyalty during a private dinner—an interaction so concerning to the FBI director that he documented it in a memo at the time.
The deteriorating relationship culminated in Comey’s dismissal by Trump in May 2017, while the FBI was actively investigating potential ties between Russia and Trump’s campaign. Special counsel Robert Mueller later took over the investigation, ultimately concluding that while Russia interfered in the 2016 election and Trump’s campaign welcomed the assistance, there was insufficient evidence to establish criminal collaboration.
This case emerges amid what appears to be broader scrutiny of officials involved in the Russia investigation. The Justice Department is also reportedly conducting a criminal investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan, another key figure in the Russia probe—an investigation that Trump and his supporters have long characterized as unjust.
CNN was first to report the new indictment against Comey. At press time, Comey’s legal representatives had not responded to requests for comment on the latest developments.
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15 Comments
As a fan of political thrillers, I find this Comey situation quite intriguing. The alleged connection between the seashell photo and a supposed threat against Trump is certainly an unusual one. I’ll be following this case closely to see how it unfolds.
Me too, the political intrigue surrounding this is quite captivating. It will be interesting to see if the prosecutors can make a convincing case or if it ends up fizzling out.
The Comey indictment raises a lot of questions about the state of American politics. While I have my own views on Comey, I believe it’s important to uphold the integrity of the justice system and ensure that any charges are well-substantiated. This is a complex issue that deserves careful scrutiny.
Well said. Maintaining the impartiality and credibility of the legal system is critical, regardless of the political affiliations involved. I hope this case is handled in a transparent and rigorous manner.
The Comey indictment is certainly a head-turner. While I’m no fan of the former FBI director, I have to question the motivations behind these charges. The seashell photo seems like a rather flimsy pretext. I’ll be following this case closely to see if the prosecutors can substantiate their claims.
Interesting developments in the Comey case. I wonder what the full story is here and whether the charges are justified. It’s concerning if the Trump administration is using the justice system to target political opponents.
I agree, this seems like a politically charged situation. We’ll have to see how it plays out and whether there is clear evidence of wrongdoing on Comey’s part.
Wow, the Comey indictment is quite a bombshell. While I’m no fan of the former FBI director, I have to say this seems like a questionable use of the justice system. I hope the charges are well-founded and not just political retaliation.
I share your concerns about the political motivations here. Regardless of one’s views on Comey, the rule of law should be applied impartially. We’ll have to see if the evidence truly warrants these charges.
I’m curious to learn more about the specifics of the Comey case and what led to these charges. While the seashell photo does seem a bit odd, I’m hesitant to jump to conclusions without seeing the full picture. Hopefully the legal process will shed more light on the matter.
Agreed, the details will be crucial here. It’s important to avoid rushing to judgment and let the facts emerge through the proper channels. This case could have significant ramifications, so a measured approach is warranted.
This Comey situation is certainly intriguing, but also a bit concerning. The alleged connection between a seashell photo and a threat against the former president seems tenuous at best. I hope the prosecutors have a strong evidentiary case, as this has the potential to set a troubling precedent.
I share your apprehension about the potential implications of this case. The bar for criminal charges should be high, especially when it involves a high-profile political figure. We’ll have to see if the DOJ can make a convincing argument, or if this ends up being viewed as overreach.
The Comey indictment is certainly raising a lot of eyebrows. While I have concerns about the potential for abuse of power, I also think it’s important to let the legal process play out and see what the evidence shows.
That’s a fair perspective. These types of cases can get very messy and politicized, so it’s prudent to withhold judgment until all the facts are known.