US Department of Justice defends prosecution of Comey over seashell post

“The U.S. Department of Justice has justified its case against former FBI Director James Comey, alleging that a May 2025 Instagram post featuring seashells arranged as “86 47” was a coded threat to President Donald Trump. Prosecutors argue the numbers translate to “86” (to get rid of) and “47” (Trump’s presidential number), and claim the post was a marketing ploy for Comey’s upcoming novel. Comey’s defense contends the arrangement was innocent, that he deleted the post after backlash, and that the prosecution is selective and vindictive. Expert Analysis: The DOJ’s aggressive stance underscores heightened political sensitivity around threats to the president, potentially chilling political speech for public figures. If the case proceeds, it may set a precedent for how social‑media symbolism is interpreted in criminal law, influencing both media strategy and legal risk assessments for high‑profile individuals.”