Ex-FBI boss Comey indicted again, this time over seashell ‘threat’ to Trump
Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted again, this time over an Instagram post showing seashells arranged to read '86 47,' which prosecutors allege constituted a threat against President Donald Trump. The case, brought by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, follows a previous dismissed indictment and raises questions about politically motivated prosecutions. Comey, who deleted the post and said he did not endorse violence, has long been a target of Trump's ire since overseeing the Russia investigation. The charges stem from interpretations of the numbers as a call to assassinate Trump, though Comey claims he was unaware of the alleged violent connotation.
- ▪James Comey was indicted over a social media post showing seashells arranged as '86 47,' which officials claim was a threat against President Trump.
- ▪Comey deleted the post and stated he did not realize the numbers could be interpreted as advocating violence.
- ▪Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, a Trump loyalist, secured the indictment months after a prior case against Comey was dismissed.
- ▪The term '86' is slang for 'to get rid of,' but Merriam-Webster notes that 'to kill' is a recent and rare extension not officially recognized.
- ▪Comey previously oversaw the early stages of the Russia investigation and was fired by Trump in 2017, leading to ongoing public conflict.
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