James Comey Faces Bizarre New Threat Charge in Trump Justice Department’s Latest Witch Hunt

In a surreal twist that highlights the depths of the Trump administration’s vendetta against perceived enemies, former FBI Director James Comey appeared in federal court Wednesday to face charges accusing him of making a threat against President Donald Trump. The alleged threat? A photo Comey posted on social media last May showing seashells arranged to read “86 47” — a cryptic message that prosecutors claim signals a threat to the 47th president.

Comey’s brief court appearance in Alexandria, Virginia, was a far cry from the gravity such charges might normally carry. The judge released Comey without any conditions, dismissing the need for restrictions that were also absent when an earlier, now-dismissed case against him was filed last year. Comey’s lawyers signaled they will challenge the prosecution as a politically motivated and selective attack, aimed at satisfying Trump’s public demands to “investigate” his critics.

The bizarre indictment comes from the Eastern District of North Carolina, but the initial hearing took place in Virginia for convenience. US Attorney Ellis Boyle, who will oversee the case as it moves to North Carolina, was present in court Wednesday. No plea was entered and no trial date has been set.

Legal experts, including First Amendment scholar Eugene Volokh, have dismissed the charges as frivolous. “This is not going anywhere. This is clearly not a punishable threat,” Volokh told CNN, noting that the “86” slang simply means to get rid of something, and that prosecuting such a cryptic social media post as a threat sets a dangerous precedent.

This is the second time the Trump Justice Department has targeted Comey. Last year, Comey faced charges for allegedly lying to Congress about leaks to the press. That case was thrown out after a judge ruled the interim US attorney who brought it was improperly appointed.

The Comey case is emblematic of a broader pattern under the Trump administration: using the Department of Justice as a tool to harass political opponents and undermine democratic norms. As the acting Attorney General accelerates prosecutions against Trump’s foes, the message is clear — no one who challenges the former president’s narrative is safe from legal retaliation.

We will keep tracking this case as it unfolds, exposing how the justice system is being twisted to serve authoritarian ends. Stay tuned.