Trump’s DOJ Hits James Comey With Second Indictment Over “86-47” Instagram Post

In a stunning escalation of political vendetta, the Justice Department under President Donald Trump has indicted former FBI Director James Comey for a second time. The charges stem from a May 2025 Instagram post where Comey arranged seashells to form the numbers “86 47”—a cryptic message that prosecutors claim constitutes a threat against the president. According to the indictment, the numbers “86” signal elimination, and “47” refers to Trump as the 47th president, a combination the DOJ says amounts to a serious threat of violence.

Comey, who has been an outspoken Trump critic since his 2017 firing, previously faced felony charges tied to his Senate testimony, but those were dismissed due to prosecutorial missteps. Now, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the new indictment, asserting that threats against the president are intolerable and promising to prove intent through witnesses and documents. Blanche refused to address free speech concerns, bluntly stating, “You are not allowed to threaten the president of the United States of America.”

Comey responded swiftly, denying any violent intent and calling the charges a politically motivated attack. In a video posted on his Substack, he said, “Nothing has changed with me. I’m still innocent. I’m still not afraid. And I still believe in the independent federal judiciary.” He emphasized that he saw the seashells as a political message, not a call for violence, and condemned violence of any kind.

Legal experts have criticized the indictment as petty and retributive. Former federal prosecutor Gene Rossi called it “a sad day at the Justice Department” and suggested the charges reflect political theater rather than legitimate law enforcement. The indictment arrives amid a broader pattern of Trump’s DOJ targeting his political enemies, including recent charges against a former adviser to Anthony Fauci, reinforcing concerns about weaponizing the justice system for partisan gains.

This indictment is not just about one Instagram post. It signals a dangerous escalation in the Trump administration’s campaign to use the DOJ as a tool for personal vendettas. As Trump’s 2024 campaign leans heavily on themes of retribution, the justice system’s independence faces unprecedented strain. We will be watching closely as this case unfolds, because accountability cannot be selective or political.