Overview
- James Comey asked a federal judge to cancel his upcoming appearance in Greenville, North Carolina, saying he already surrendered and appeared before a judge in Virginia, and the Justice Department agreed.
- The two-count indictment says Comey threatened President Donald Trump by posting an Instagram photo of seashells arranged as “86 47,” which prosecutors read as a threat against the 47th president.
- Comey says he thought the shells conveyed a political message to remove Trump from office, not violence, and he deleted the post after seeing some took it as a threat.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says the case rests on an 11‑month body of evidence beyond the post, though public filings cite only the image, and former prosecutors warn his extra details break DOJ norms on speaking beyond indictments.
- First Amendment scholars argue the post is political hyperbole, noting “86” usually means to get rid of something and that true‑threat crimes require proof of a serious intent or at least reckless disregard, a dispute unfolding as the White House pressures ABC over a Jimmy Kimmel joke and the FCC launches an early license review that critics say could chill dissent.