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James Comey seashell threat case

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-07-30 04:22 UTC → 2026-07-30 04:51 UTC · added removed

In late July 2026 former FBI director James Comey filed a federal motion to dismiss a the two‑count indictment accusing him of threatening President Donald Trump with an Instagram post that showed of seashells arranged to read spelling “86 47.” Comey’s counsel argues maintains the image is a well‑known political slogan—“86” meaning “get rid of” and “47” referring to Trump as the 47th president—rather than a true threat, and that argues the prosecution would violate violates his First‑Amendment rights. The indictment, filed in North Carolina, charges him with threatening the president’s life and transmitting that threat in interstate commerce, with an arraignment set for September 30 and a trial slated for October 21 in New Bern, NC. The defense renewed the dismissal request and asked for sought a Franks hearing, alleging prosecutorial misconduct, illegal misconduct. The filings claim the Justice Department omitted key facts, distorted evidence, and pursued a vindictive, selective prosecution motivated by the president’s animus. They also assert the Secret Service “ping” of unlawfully “pinged” Comey’s cellphone, cellphone without an immediate danger and improper use of that prosecutors relied on AI tools (ChatGPT, such as ChatGPT and Google AI) AI to interpret the slang “86.” Prosecutors consulted mafia Mafia informant Sal Gravano, who linked Gravano testified that “86” is gang slang for killing someone and that he never discussed the term to gangland killings, while the Justice Department’s own experts maintain the slang does not convey a personal threat. with Comey. The filings also cite a prior case against indictment, filed in North Carolina, charges Comey for alleged congressional lies with threatening the president’s life and transmitting that was dismissed threat in November, framing the current prosecution as part of a broader retribution campaign against Trump critics. interstate commerce. An arraignment is set for September 30, with trial scheduled for October 21. The case remains scheduled slated for trial on October 21. in New Bern, NC.

Versions

  1. 2026-07-30 04:51 UTC James Comey seashell threat case
  2. 2026-07-30 04:22 UTC James Comey seashell threat case
  3. 2026-07-29 23:42 UTC James Comey seashell threat case
  4. 2026-07-29 18:32 UTC James Comey seashell threat case

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