Justice Department argues Comey’s seashell Instagram could be seen as a Trump threat

In recent court filings, the Justice Department defended its prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey, arguing that his May 2025 Instagram image of seashells forming the numbers “86 47” could be read as a threat against President Donald Trump. Prosecutors highlighted the dictionary meaning of “86” as “to get rid of” and pointed to the proximity of the post to a series of plots against Trump. They also cast doubt on Comey’s story that he found the shells while walking on a North Carolina beach, noting the shells were located several miles inland behind a sand dune.

Comey’s lawyers claim the government misled the court, submitted false documents, and failed to prove intent to threaten. The department emphasized that the decision to charge Comey came from the regional U.S. attorney and was not a directive from higher officials. The motions address defense arguments that the case is a vindictive retaliation for Comey’s past criticism of the president.