Comey plans to seek dismissal of second indictment over seashell threat photo

Former FBI Director James Comey’s legal team intends to move to dismiss his second federal indictment, which was issued April 28 over a May 2025 Instagram post showing seashells spelling '86 47.' Prosecutors allege the image threatened President Trump.

Comey’s lawyers argue the charges reflect vindictive and selective prosecution. They cite a September 2025 Truth Social post in which Trump urged then-Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue the case, writing that justice must be served after repeated impeachments and indictments against him. This marks Comey’s second indictment under the Trump administration; an earlier September 2025 case charging false statements and obstruction was dismissed by a federal judge who ruled the prosecutor was unlawfully appointed. The current charges stem from the Instagram photo some interpret as calling for harm to the 47th president. Comey has maintained the post was a non-violent political message.

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Dramatic beach illustration of seashells forming '8647', symbolizing James Comey's indicted Instagram post threatening Trump.
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Grand jury indicts James Comey over '8647' seashell photo

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A federal grand jury in North Carolina has indicted former FBI Director James Comey on two felony counts of threatening President Donald Trump through a social media post. The charges stem from an Instagram photo Comey shared last year showing seashells arranged as '8647' on a beach. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The Trump administration has brought new indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and the Southern Poverty Law Center as part of what critics describe as a revenge campaign against political enemies. These charges follow previous efforts targeting figures like New York Attorney General Letitia James. Prosecutors have used broad federal statutes and grand jury powers in these cases.

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A South Carolina man faces federal charges after allegedly posting threats against President Donald Trump on X last year. John Alexander Bellue was indicted on May 19 for threatening the president's life.

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