Department of Justice defends James Comey prosecution over seashell post

James Comey Department of Justice Donald Trump seashell post FDR Drive

The Department of Justice has filed new court documents defending its criminal prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey. The case stems from a May 2025 Instagram post featuring seashells arranged to read '86 47'. Prosecutors argue that an objective viewer could interpret the message as a coded threat to 'kill' or 'get rid of' the 47th president, Donald Trump.

In its filings, the DOJ has challenged Comey's explanation that he simply stumbled upon the arrangement while walking on a North Carolina beach. Investigators noted that shortly before the post, Comey's wife sent him a text defining the term '86'. Furthermore, prosecutors allege the post was a calculated attempt to generate publicity and boost sales for Comey's forthcoming novel, 'FDR Drive', which depicts a character inspiring followers to attack political enemies.

Comey's defense team has moved to dismiss the case, arguing that the prosecution is vindictive and selective, driven by the President's personal animosity toward him. The DOJ has countered these claims by stating that the decision to indict was made independently by U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle in the Eastern District of North Carolina, without direction or influence from Attorney General Todd Blanche or the President.

Entities

Department of Justice · Donald Trump · Ellis Boyle · James Comey · Justice Department · Todd Blanche

Claims

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

[○ 1 SOURCE] Investigators found that Comey's wife sent him a definition of '86' shortly before the post was made. srnnews.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Comey claims he discovered the seashell arrangement by chance while walking on a North Carolina beach with his wife. americanfaith.com · internewscast.com · srnnews.com · www.aljazeera.com · www.latimes.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Prosecutors are using Comey's novel, 'FDR Drive', as evidence to argue the post was a coded message to followers. internewscast.com · www.nbcnews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The DOJ claims the decision to indict was made by U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle without direction from Attorney General Todd Blanche or the President. krdo.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Comey has admitted that the number '47' in his post referred to President Trump. americanfaith.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Comey's defense argues the prosecution is vindictive and selective due to the President's hostility toward him. dnyuz.com · internewscast.com · www.latimes.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The DOJ argues that an objective viewer could interpret Comey's '86 47' post as a threat to kill President Trump. americanfaith.com · srnnews.com · www.aljazeera.com · www.latimes.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Prosecutors allege the social media post was intended to generate controversy and boost sales for Comey's novel, 'FDR Drive'. dnyuz.com · srnnews.com · www.aljazeera.com · www.nbcnews.com