Former FBI Director James Comey Indicted Over Instagram Post Alleged to Threaten President Trump
James Comey faces federal charges for an Instagram post featuring '86 47' in seashells, interpreted as a threat against President Trump.
Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted by a federal grand jury in North Carolina, facing charges related to an Instagram post from May 2025. The post displayed seashells arranged to form the numbers '86 47,' which some interpreted as a threat against President Donald Trump.
The indictment includes two counts: knowingly and willfully making a threat to take the life of, and to inflict bodily harm upon, the President of the United States, and transmitting a threat in interstate commerce. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated,
"Threatening the life of the President of the United States is a grave violation of our nation’s laws."
Comey, 65, deleted the post shortly after sharing it, explaining that he was unaware of any violent connotations associated with the numbers and that he opposes violence of any kind.
This marks the second indictment against Comey. In September 2025, he faced charges of lying to and obstructing Congress, which were later dismissed due to the prosecutor's illegal appointment.
The case is being prosecuted in the Eastern District of North Carolina, where the Instagram post was made. An arrest warrant has been issued for Comey, though his current custody status is unclear.