DOJ defends prosecution of Comey over seashell post threat

The Department of Justice has defended its prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey following a social media post featuring seashells arranged in a pattern, arguing the image constitutes a coded threat against President Donald Trump.

Comey posted an Instagram photograph in May 2025 showing seashells on a North Carolina beach forming the numbers "86 47." Federal prosecutors allege the post was a coded message threatening the president's life.

In court filings, prosecutors stated there is "no serious dispute that an objective viewer of Comey's post could read it to mean 'Kill President Trump.'" The DOJ urged a federal judge not to dismiss the criminal charges against Comey.

In defending the prosecution, the Department of Justice cited Comey's own novel, "FDR Drive," in its court motions. Prosecutors suggested that Comey, similarly to a right-wing podcaster featured in his fictional book, sent coded messages to his followers suggesting they kill an enemy of his. The DOJ drew a parallel between the fictional character's actions and the alleged intent behind Comey's seashell post.

The charges stem from the Instagram post made approximately 15 months ago. Prosecutors have maintained that the arrangement of numbers and the context of Comey's public statements constitute sufficient grounds for the threat allegation.

Comey, who served as FBI director under both the Obama and Trump administrations before being dismissed in 2017, has been a vocal critic of Trump in subsequent years. He published a memoir titled "A Higher Loyalty" and has made public appearances discussing his experiences in government.

The case remains pending before a federal judge who will determine whether the charges should proceed or be dismissed.