Former FBI Director James Comey surrendered to authorities on Wednesday to face charges that an image he briefly shared on social media threatened President Donald Trump’s life.
It derives from Comey’s Instagram post, which featured an image of seashells on a seashore organized to say “86 47”. “Eighty-six” is a slang word for “get rid of,” and prosecutors say it incites violence against Trump, the 47th president.
Comey denies any culpability, claiming he didn’t understand the figures and accusing the prosecution of political intent. This is the second time the Justice Department has filed criminal charges against Comey, Trump’s longstanding adversary.
Comey did not speak during his brief appearance in a Virginia court, but his attorney told Reuters that the former director will argue the case was a spiteful prosecution or punishment for speaking out against Trump.
During his second administration, President Trump has publicly suggested that Justice Department authorities investigate his political foes. The government has indicted individuals such as Comey and New York Attorney General Tish James, who brought fraud charges against the president. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated on Wednesday that the additional charges against Comey are “absolutely, positively not” politically motivated.
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