Former FBI Director James Comey is facing a second criminal indictment, marking a renewed legal escalation tied to a controversial social media post that prosecutors say was interpreted as a veiled threat against the president. The charges were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina and include making a threat against the president and transmitting a threat through interstate commerce.
According to the indictment, the case centers on a photograph Comey posted on Instagram in May 2025 while on vacation in North Carolina. The image showed seashells arranged on a beach in a pattern forming the numbers “86 47.” Prosecutors allege that the combination of numbers, when viewed in context, could reasonably be interpreted as an expression of intent to harm the sitting president.
The term “86” is widely understood in slang to mean removing or getting rid of something, while “47” has been linked by critics to President Donald Trump. Authorities argue that the pairing of these symbols elevated the post beyond innocent content and into a potential security concern, particularly given the political climate at the time.
Comey initially captioned the image as a lighthearted observation from a beach walk, but removed the post shortly after it drew public backlash. He later acknowledged that he had not recognized any violent implication in the arrangement of the numbers and stated that he does not support violence in any form. Despite the deletion and clarification, federal investigators proceeded with a review that ultimately led to the indictment.
A federal court clerk issued an arrest warrant following the filing of charges, though no public details have been released regarding custody status or court appearance dates. The case has quickly drawn national attention due to Comey’s previous role as FBI director and his long-standing public disputes with the current administration.
The post was previously condemned by senior officials in the Trump administration. Then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the matter warranted investigation by federal security services, while Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard expressed concern that the message could be interpreted as encouragement of violence and suggested potential criminal accountability.
President Trump also publicly criticized the post at the time, arguing that its meaning was obvious and threatening in nature, particularly in light of prior assassination attempts reported against him during the campaign period.
This indictment is the second brought against Comey under the current Justice Department leadership. Earlier in 2025, he was charged in a separate case involving alleged false statements to Congress. That case was later dismissed by a federal judge, who found procedural issues with the appointment of the prosecutor.
The legal pressure surrounding the Comey family has also expanded beyond James Comey himself. His daughter, Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor, has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice alleging wrongful termination. The complaint argues that her dismissal was driven by political considerations linked to her father’s public profile and perceived affiliations. A federal judge in New York has allowed that case to proceed.
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