Comey arraignment postponed until January 2027

U.S. District Judge Louise Flanagan has postponed James Comey’s arraignment in North Carolina until January 2027, granting the former FBI director’s request for more time to prepare for a federal case over a social-media post of seashells arranged as “86 47.” Prosecutors did not oppose the delay. Comey has not entered a plea in the case, and the judge has not consistently been reported as having formally set a trial date. Flanagan’s Friday order cited the gravity of the charges, pending motions and the need to give the defense additional preparation time. Comey’s lawyers had asked to move the proceedings while the court considers several motions seeking dismissal of the indictment. The judge has not ruled on those motions. The case involves two federal counts alleging that Comey threatened the president through a photograph posted on social media in May 2025. The image showed the numbers “86 47” formed from seashells on a North Carolina beach. Prosecutors allege the post threatened Donald Trump, the 47th president. The charges are allegations, and the supplied court reporting does not establish Comey’s intent.