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Prosecutors Defend Criminal Case Against James Comey as Defense Contests Charges

Former FBI Director James Comey is contesting a federal criminal case over an Instagram post, which remains undecided in district court.

2 reports on this incident · first at Aug 19, 2026, 4:24 p.m. ET

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 19, 2026, 3:38 p.m. ETWritten Aug 19, 2026, 4:26 p.m. ET
Former FBI Director James Comey is contesting a federal case brought by the , raising claims of selective and vindictive prosecution in district court, according to reporting by NBC News. The matter remains undecided. Federal prosecutors in North Carolina filed court documents defending the case, NBC News reported. Prosecutors allege Comey "knowingly and willingly" made "a threat to take the life of, and to inflict bodily harm upon, the President of the United States" when he posted an Instagram picture of seashells arranged to read "8647" alongside the caption "cool shell formation on my beach walk." According to NBC News, prosecutors contend the post was a coded message meaning "kill" or "get rid of" President Trump. To rebut Comey's challenge, prosecutors argued the post was a "true threat" and cited Comey's novel "FDR Drive" as supporting context for their case, according to NBC News.

Earlier reports

  1. Aug 19, 2026, 4:24 p.m. ETFirst report

    Federal Prosecutors Defend Criminal Case Against Former FBI Director James Comey

    Federal prosecutors in North Carolina have filed court documents in district court defending a criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey, NBC News reported. The case remains open and developing, and the charges against Comey remain undecided as the proceeding is contested.

    Prosecutors allege Comey "knowingly and willingly" made "a threat to take the life of, and to inflict bodily harm upon, the President of the United States" by sharing an Instagram picture of seashells arranged to say "8647" with the caption "cool shell formation on my beach walk," according to NBC News. Prosecutors say the post was a coded message meaning "kill" or "get rid of" President Trump.

    According to NBC News, prosecutors argued in court documents that the post was a "true threat" and cited Comey's novel "FDR Drive" as supporting context to defend the prosecution and rebut his claims of selective and vindictive prosecution.

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Revision history

  1. Version 119 Aug 2026, 20:26current

    First published.

  2. Version 119 Aug 2026, 20:24current

    First published.

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