Overview
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced an indictment accusing former FBI director James Comey of making a threat against the President based on an Instagram photo that read as “86 47.”
- Blanche said at a Justice Department press conference that threats to the President will be investigated and prosecuted, and he noted the charge carries a potential 10‑year sentence.
- Former FBI official Michael Feinberg and ex‑DHS aide Miles Taylor called the case political and warned Blanche and others could face discipline or charges under a future administration if rights were violated.
- Blanche previously served as Trump’s lawyer, left a major firm to represent him, and his new firm received more than $3 million from the Save America PAC.
- Legal skepticism has mounted, with law professor Jonathan Turley saying the case is unlikely to survive constitutional review, and critics pointing to selective enforcement compared with unprosecuted messages like “Hang Mike Pence” and “86 46.”