James Comey claims prosecutorial misconduct in seashell threat case against President Trump

James Comey seashell threat prosecutorial misconduct Secret Service surveillance "86 47" slang

Former FBI director James Comey is seeking dismissal of two felony charges that stem from an Instagram photo of seashells arranged to read “86 47.” Prosecutors allege the numbers constitute a threat against President Donald Trump, the 47th president, while Comey maintains the post was protected speech. In a series of motions, Comey’s lawyers assert that the Justice Department omitted key facts, distorted evidence, and pursued a vindictive, selective prosecution motivated by the president’s animus. The filings also alleive that the Secret Service conducted unlawful electronic tracking of Comey’s cellphone without an immediate danger, and that prosecutors consulted AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google AI for interpreting the slang term “86.” Defense attorneys say the government interviewed mafia informant Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano, who testified that “86” is gang slang for killing someone and that he never discussed the term with Comey. The case is set for trial on October 21, 2025 in New Bern, North Carolina.

Entities

Department of Justice · Donald Trump · James Comey · Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano · Secret Service · United States Department of Justice

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 14 SOURCES] James Comey was charged in April 2025 with two felonies for posting an Instagram photo of seashells arranged as “86 47,” which prosecutors say threatened President Donald Trump. newsfactsnetwork.com · timesng.com · wyomingtruth.org · www.independent.co.uk · antiguatribune.com · +9 more
[● 11 SOURCES] Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano said gangsters use the term “86” to refer to killing someone and that he never discussed the term with Comey. newsfactsnetwork.com · timesng.com · wyomingtruth.org · www.independent.co.uk · www.wdio.com · +6 more
[● 2 SOURCES] The Department of Justice declined to comment on specifics of the case. timesng.com · www.independent.co.uk
[● 11 SOURCES] Comey's attorneys filed motions seeking dismissal of the charges and a Franks hearing to challenge the evidence. newsfactsnetwork.com · timesng.com · wyomingtruth.org · www.independent.co.uk · barbadosgazette.com · +6 more
[● 11 SOURCES] Defense alleges Secret Service conducted unlawful electronic tracking of Comey's cellphone without an immediate danger. timesng.com · www.independent.co.uk · newsfactsnetwork.com · wyomingtruth.org · barbadosgazette.com · +6 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Comey's lawyers allege prosecutors withheld key facts, distorted evidence, and engaged in illegal surveillance of his cellphone. newsfactsnetwork.com · timesng.com · wyomingtruth.org · www.independent.co.uk
[● 4 SOURCES] The defense interviewed mafia informant Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano about the meaning of the term “86.” newsfactsnetwork.com · timesng.com · wyomingtruth.org · www.independent.co.uk
[○ 1 SOURCE] The case is being heard in federal court in New Bern, North Carolina, with a trial scheduled for October 21. newsfactsnetwork.com
[● 6 SOURCES] Secret Service agents allegedly “pinged” Comey’s cellphone and requested location data from Verizon without an immediate danger. timesng.com · wyomingtruth.org · barbadosgazette.com · mymotherlode.com · www.wdio.com · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] James Comey was charged in April with threatening President Donald Trump based on an Instagram post showing seashells arranged as “86 47”. newsfactsnetwork.com · timesng.com · rocketnews.com · www.independent.co.uk
[● 3 SOURCES] The Department of Justice alleges the numbers “86 47” constitute a threat against Trump, the 47th president. newsfactsnetwork.com · timesng.com · rocketnews.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The defense filed motions seeking dismissal and a Franks hearing to challenge the evidence. newsfactsnetwork.com · wyomingtruth.org