Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

DOJ Defends Comey Indictment Over “86 47” Instagram Threat

8/23/2026

50 10 Full Breakdown

Summary

Comey Indicted

The U.S. Department of Justice defends the indictment of FBI Director James Comey over a seashell Instagram post.
Prosecutors say the May 2025 “86 47” Instagram caption constitutes a true threat to President Donald Trump.
The indictment charges Comey with knowingly threatening the president’s life and bodily harm.
Comey is scheduled for arraignment on September 30 and trial on October 21, 2026 in New Bern, North Carolina.

Summary

Comey Book Promotion

Prosecutors cited Comey's thriller “FDR Drive” to link his Instagram post to alleged violent intent.
Comey replied “Not my intention, but I’ll be OK if it sells books,” indicating possible marketing motive.
Prosecutors noted the post appeared five days before the novel’s release, suggesting timing aided sales.
Stephen Colbert called the post a “viral campaign” during Comey's appearance on “The Late Show.”

History

Historical Context

On March 30 1981, John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots at President Ronald Reagan outside the Washington Hilton, wounding Reagan, press secretary James Brady and officer Thomas Delahanty. Hinckley’s not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity verdict spurred Congress to tighten insanity defenses and shaped the legal framework for prosecuting threats against a president, a standard now applied in James Comey’s indictment.

1 of 3

Comey Indicted

The U.S. Department of Justice defends the indictment of FBI Director James Comey over a seashell Instagram post.
Prosecutors say the May 2025 “86 47” Instagram caption constitutes a true threat to President Donald Trump.
The indictment charges Comey with knowingly threatening the president’s life and bodily harm.
Comey is scheduled for arraignment on September 30 and trial on October 21, 2026 in New Bern, North Carolina.

1 / 3