James Comey prosecutors use his novel in criminal case

Federal prosecutors are using a novel written by former FBI Director James Comey, titled ‘FDR Drive’, to support criminal charges against him. The Department of Justice alleges that Comey made a threat against former President Donald Trump via a social media post featuring seashells arranged to spell ‘86-47’.

Prosecutors argue that the post contained coded messages to followers, drawing parallels to the fictional protagonist in Comey’s thriller who targets a media personality. The government further suggests Comey had a financial incentive to stir controversy to boost book sales. The number ‘86’ is common shorthand for removing something, while ‘47’ refers to Trump being the 47th president.

Free speech organization PEN America has criticized the legal strategy. Legal director Mara Gassmann described the use of fiction to sustain the indictment as a ‘desperate Hail Mary’ and argued that a political message expressed through a photo does not constitute a genuine threat.