Administration

Comey responds to indictment: ‘This is not who we are as a country’

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by Ashleigh Fields - 04/28/26 7:00 PM ET

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by Ashleigh Fields - 04/28/26 7:00 PM ET

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Former FBI Director James Comey issued a Tuesday video response to a new indictment on two charges of making threats to harm President Trump stemming from a social media post in which he arranged seashells that read “86-47.”

“Well, they’re back. This time about a picture of seashells on a North Carolina Beach a year ago, and this won’t be the end of it. But nothing has changed with me. I’m still innocent, I’m still not afraid, and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary. So let’s go,” Comey said in a clip posted to Substack.

“But it’s really important that all of us remember this is not who we are as a country. This is not how the Department of Justice is supposed to be. And the good news is we get closer every day to restoring those values. Keep the faith you,” he added.

Comey said the arrangement of seashells was a “political message” and noted that he didn’t realize the numbers could be associated with violence.

“It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down,” the former FBI director said.

The term “86″ is traditionally used as slang, with the intended meaning to get rid of, discard, refuse service to, or cancel someone or something. The former FBI director has been at odds with the president ever since he led the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election and potential collusion with the Trump campaign.

Comey previously faced false statements and obstruction charges stemming from 2020 testimony he gave Congress concerning leaks at the FBI. However, the case was dismissed over the unlawful appointment of the prosecutor who pursued them.

The Trump administration has appealed. The new charges against Comey have been scrutinized by Democratic lawmakers who have accused the president of weaponizing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to go after Trump’s political opponents and enemies.

“These administration officials don’t know how to take no for an answer,” Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) said in a statement on Comey’s new charges.

“Their repeated efforts to weaponize the Department of Justice, to weaponize the criminal justice system against their political opponents, is as brazen as it is offensive,” she added.

McBride continued, “And I am cautiously optimistic that the American people will not stand for this, that a jury of one’s peers will see this as a sham trial and this indictment as once again a purely political act.”

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has defended the new Comey indictment and said the DOJ will continue to pursue charges against individuals who attempt to threaten the president.

“Threatening the life of the president of the United States will never be tolerated by the Department of Justice,” he said. “Over the past year, this department has charged dozens of cases involving threats against all sorts of individuals.

“We take these seriously,” Blanche added. “Every single one of them.”

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