Former FBI Director James Comey surrendered to authorities on Wednesday to face charges stemming from an Instagram post that prosecutors say threatened the life of President Donald Trump. The case revolves around a May 2025 image Comey shared on his Instagram account, featuring seashells arranged on a beach to read "86 47." Prosecutors argue that "eighty-six" is a slang term for "get rid of," and the post implicitly encouraged violence against Trump, the 47th president.
Comey, who later deleted the post after public outcry, denied any wrongdoing and called the charges politically motivated. "I didn't realize some folks associate those numbers with violence," he wrote in a follow-up note. "It never occurred to me, but I oppose violence of any kind."
During his brief court appearance in Virginia, Comey did not enter a plea. His attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, announced plans to seek dismissal on grounds of selective and vindictive prosecution, arguing that Comey was targeted for his outspoken criticism of Trump. Judge William Fitzpatrick denied prosecutors' request to set conditions for Comey's release, deeming them unnecessary.
The charges—knowingly making a threat against the president and transmitting a threat in interstate commerce—carry a maximum sentence of 10 years each. Comey released a video statement Tuesday vowing to fight: "This won't be the end of it—but I'm still innocent, I'm still not afraid, and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary."
President Trump labeled Comey a "crooked man" and referenced the alleged threat, saying, "It's a mob term for kill him." However, the case has drawn skepticism from legal experts and lawmakers. Republican Senator Thom Tillis expressed hope there was more evidence than just the photo, warning against setting a "low bar." Former federal prosecutor Jimmy Gurulé called the indictment "an embarrassment to the American criminal justice system."
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the investigation and rejected claims of political bias, stating, "People should be very wary of threatening the life of President Trump because that is a crime." This marks the second attempt by Trump's administration to prosecute Comey, following a dismissed indictment last November over allegations of lying to Congress.