Comey Indicted for Instagram Post Seen as Trump Threat

Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted last month by the Department of Justice on charges of making threats against President Donald Trump over a May 2025 Instagram photo showing seashells arranged to spell "86 47." Prosecutors in the Eastern District of North Carolina argue the post constitutes a threat, interpreting "86," a restaurant industry slang term for removing or getting rid of an item, alongside "47," a reference to Trump as the 47th U.S. president.

Comey addressed the charges in his first public interview since the indictment, telling MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace on Monday that he plans to continue speaking out. "Donald Trump has a bottomless desire to gain revenge against those who've criticized him," Comey said. "I'm not going to stop criticizing him because I think that's required if you care about America." He maintained his innocence, expressed confidence in the federal judiciary, and predicted further legal action if the case fails, stating, "If this case falls apart, they'll come up with something else."

The trial is scheduled to begin July 15 before U.S. District Judge Louise Flanagan in North Carolina. Comey, who expects to enter a not guilty plea on June...