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James Comey trial delayed until 2027 in Trump threat case
A federal judge has delayed the trial of former FBI Director James Comey until early 2027. The case involves felony charges alleging that Comey knowingly disseminated a death threat against President Donald Trump via an Instagram post in May 2025.
The post featured an image of seashells arranged to spell '86 47'. Prosecutors argue that '86' is slang for 'to kill' and '47' refers to the 47th president. Comey has denied any intent to incite violence, stating he merely saw a political message in the formation and was unaware of the violent connotations associated with the numbers.
U.S. District Judge Louise Flanagan granted the continuance to allow defense counsel more time to prepare and to address pending motions, including a request to dismiss the case entirely. The arraignment has also been pushed to January 2027.
Entities
Donald Trump · Eastern District of North Carolina · FBI · James Comey · Louise Flanagan · U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina indicted Comey on two felony counts related to making and transmitting threats against the president. www.thegatewaypundit.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] James Comey denies the post was a call to violence, stating he only saw a political message in the seashell formation. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.thegatewaypundit.com · www.guampdn.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Prosecutors allege that James Comey's Instagram post of seashells spelling '86 47' was a knowing threat to kill President Donald Trump. www.thegatewaypundit.com · www.guampdn.com · justthenews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Judge Louise Flanagan delayed the trial and arraignment of James Comey until early 2027. www.thegatewaypundit.com · www.guampdn.com · justthenews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The defense has filed motions to dismiss the case, arguing it was driven by President Trump's animus. www.thegatewaypundit.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The term '86' has a recent, though rare, definition meaning 'to kill'. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.thegatewaypundit.com