Story perspectives

Justice Dept. Indicts Ex-FBI Chief Comey Over Trump Threat

4/30/2026

Center

Comey Indicted

The Justice Department filed a second indictment against Comey within a year, alleging a threat via 2025 Instagram seashell post.
Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted by a North Carolina grand jury on charges of threatening President Donald Trump.
Comey posted a “86 47” image in May 2025, deleted it and denied violent intent.
Attorney General Todd Blanche said the case fits department’s effort to prosecute threats against officials.

Left

Comey Indicted

The indictment is framed as the Justice Department’s renewed push to target President Donald Trump’s longtime adversaries.
FBI Director James Comey was indicted North Carolina for a 2025 Instagram post reading “86 47” that he later deleted.
Legal analysts note pro-Trump figures have used “86” slang without charges, indicating selective prosecution.
First-Amendment scholars argue the indictment infringes free-speech rights because the post was a non-violent expression.

History

Historical Context

Watergate began with the June 17 1972 break-in at the DNC headquarters, leading Congress to appoint special prosecutor Archibald Cox in May 1973 and trigger the “Saturday Night Massacre” that October. The scandal ultimately charged 69 people and spurred reforms to curb executive overreach, a legacy echoed in the 2025 grand jury indictment of former FBI director James Comey.

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Comey Indicted

The Justice Department filed a second indictment against Comey within a year, alleging a threat via 2025 Instagram seashell post.
Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted by a North Carolina grand jury on charges of threatening President Donald Trump.
Comey posted a “86 47” image in May 2025, deleted it and denied violent intent.
Attorney General Todd Blanche said the case fits department’s effort to prosecute threats against officials.

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