Former FBI Director James Comey Indicted on Felony Threat Charges Over Seashell Instagram Post

In a stunning escalation of political weaponization within the Justice Department, former FBI Director James Comey was indicted Tuesday on two felony charges related to a social media post made nearly a year ago. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment, accusing Comey of knowingly making a threat against the life of the president of the United States.

The post in question was an innocuous-looking photo of seashells arranged to display the numbers "86, 47." While seemingly cryptic, the number "86" is well-known slang for ejecting or removing someone. The DOJ claims this implied a threat to harm or remove the sitting president.

Blanche stated bluntly, "Threatening the life of the president of the United States will never be tolerated by the Department of Justice." The charges allege Comey knowingly transmitted a communication containing a threat to injure the president, with each count carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years.

FBI Director Kash Patel echoed the DOJ’s hardline stance, asserting Comey "will have his day in court and his ability to speak to a jury of his peers." Patel’s involvement in this case underscores the ongoing politicization and loyalty purges within federal law enforcement agencies under the current administration.

Comey responded swiftly with a video posted to his Substack, maintaining his innocence and reaffirming his faith in the independent judiciary. He warned, "This is not who we are as a country, this is not how the Department of Justice is supposed to be," highlighting the dangerous precedent this indictment sets for political dissent and free expression.

This indictment marks the second time the DOJ has pursued criminal charges against Comey. Last September, Comey faced accusations of lying to Congress about leaks to the press—charges that were ultimately dismissed. The pattern of targeting Comey reflects a broader campaign to intimidate and silence critics of the administration.

The use of felony charges based on a social media post that is, at best, a vague symbolic message, signals a troubling erosion of legal standards and democratic norms. It fits into a broader pattern of the Trump-era Justice Department weaponizing federal agencies to go after political enemies, undermining the rule of law and threatening the very fabric of American democracy.

We will continue to monitor this case closely as it unfolds, exposing the dangerous overreach and authoritarian tactics employed by those who should be upholding justice, not twisting it for political gain.