Comey surrenders over charge of threatening Trump's life in Instagram post
Prosecutors say a 2025 seashell photo posted by the former FBI director was a call for violence against Trump.
Coverage by Political Leaning
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Notable Quotes
"This won't be the end of it - but I'm still innocent, I'm still not afraid and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary."
— James Comey , Other
"If anybody knows anything about crime, they know 86."
— Donald Trump , Politician
"People should be very wary of threatening the life of President Trump because that is a crime. Full stop."
— Todd Blanche , Politician
"Otherwise, I just think it's another example where we're going to regret this because we're setting a fairly low bar."
— Thom Tillis , Politician
"An embarrassment to the American criminal justice system."
— Jimmy Gurulé , Academic
"Well, they’re back. This time, about a picture of seashells on a North Carolina beach a year ago."
— James Comey , Other
"to prove to President Trump that he will be more aggressive in prosecuting those enemies than Bondi was"
— Todd Blanche , Politician
"I assumed the numbers reflected a political message, not a call to violence."
— James Comey , Other
"I don’t even know what that means. We work hard every single day."
— Todd Blanche , Politician
"Well, they’re back. This time, about a picture of sea shells on a North Carolina beach a year ago."
— James Comey , Other
"If it really is a picture that says '86 47'—I’ve used '86' a lot of times."
— Thom Tillis , Politician
"They’re worried about inflation and the economy, and many of them are worried about how the war in Iran will end."
— Whit Ayres , Other
"The insinuation that a grand jury returning an indictment is mutually exclusive with the administration’s strong efforts on the economy is objectively false."
— Abigail Jackson , Executive
Key People
Abigail Jackson is a spokesperson for the White House.
Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.
James Comey is a former FBI Director.
Jerome Powell is the Chair of the Federal Reserve.
Former federal prosecutor who criticized the indictment as weak.
Bolton is a former national security adviser to Donald Trump and a prominent critic of the current president.
Letitia James is the Attorney General of New York.
Pam Bondi is a former attorney general of Florida.
Wife of former FBI Director James Comey.
Attorney representing James Comey.
Thom Tillis is a United States Senator from North Carolina.
Todd Blanche is the nominee for attorney general and a former personal lawyer to Donald Trump.
Political consultant providing strategic advice within the Republican Party.
Judge presiding over Comey's case.
Tags
All Coverage
Prosecutors say a 2025 seashell photo posted by the former FBI director was a call for violence against Trump.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche has charged former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly threatening President Trump through an Instagram post featuring seashells arranged as '86 47'. Critics, including Trump's allies, view the case as baseless and politically motivated.
Former FBI Director James Comey appeared in a Virginia federal court facing charges for allegedly threatening President Trump via an Instagram post. Legal experts suggest the case poses significant First Amendment challenges and may be difficult to prosecute.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche became visibly agitated during a CBS Mornings interview when questioned about the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey. Blanche denied accusations that the case was politically motivated.
Many Republicans are concerned that former President Trump's focus on legal action against political opponents, including the indictment of James Comey, will alienate non-MAGA voters and distract from pressing national issues.
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