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Maher knocks Trump administration over latest Comey indictment: ‘Going a little crazy’

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by Ryan Mancini - 05/02/26 11:03 AM ET

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by Ryan Mancini - 05/02/26 11:03 AM ET

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Comedian Bill Maher on Friday quipped that the Trump administration is “going a little crazy” with its second indictment of former FBI Director James Comey over an alleged threat to President Trump’s life.

Maher used his “Real Time” monologue to segue from the assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner to the Comey indictment by joking that the alleged shooter “was activated by James Comey’s sea shells.”

The Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted Comey in connection with a since-deleted social media post from last May. The post was of sea shells arranged to say “86 47,” which the DOJ accused of being a threat toward Trump, the 47th president.

The host explained how “86” refers to “getting rid” of something, which is a common term used in restaurants when items are sold out. Maher added, “Yeah, they’re going a little crazy there in Washington.”

“The Justice Department is trying to put former head of the FBI, James Comey, in jail for posting sea shells,” the comedian said. “Why? Because the sea shells spelled out ’86 47.’ He’s the Manchurian beachcomber.”

The DOJ charged Comey with two counts of making a threat against the president and transmitting a threat in interstate commerce, according to the unsealed indictment. Comey surrendered to law enforcement and made an initial court appearance in Alexandria, Va., on Wednesday. He did not enter a plea.

Comey denied any wrongdoing. He previously said he assumed the shells were a “political message” but did not realize the numbers could be associated with violence.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has portrayed the case as similar to others clamping down on threats against any public officials of any political affiliation. He told CBS News on Wednesday that Trump “absolutely, positively” did not direct the order to pursue the indictment.

Trump, who fired Comey in 2017, has pressured the DOJ to prosecute Comey. The president told Fox News last year that Comey “knew exactly” what the post meant.

“’86’ is a mob term for ‘kill him,'” Trump wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. “They say 86 him! 86 47 means ‘kill President Trump.’ James Comey, who is a Dirty Cop, one of the worst, knows this full well! EIGHT MILES OUT, SIX FEET DOWN! Didn’t he also lie to the FBI about this??? I think so!”

The DOJ’s case has come under scrutiny by many who have said its merits are weak.

Trump ally Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) told reporters that the case was “a stretch.” Former Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) told The Hill that the case was “frivolous.”

“As a Republican, I am particularly bothered by this, because the Democrats will have the White House someday,” Dent said. “And would we want them using the Department of Justice to attack Republican former officials or others considered to be ‘enemies’ of the Democratic administration? What is the argument going to be?”

Comey was first indicted late last year in connection with testimony he gave before the Senate in 2020 as it probed investigations into ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, which the president has long denied.

A federal judge dismissed the case in November after finding that Lindsey Halligan, the U.S. attorney selected by Trump to prosecute, was unlawfully appointed.

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