Former FBI Director James Comey Appears in Court Over Social Media Post Allegedly Threatening President Trump

Former FBI Director James Comey appeared in a Virginia federal court on Wednesday (April 29) to face two charges tied to a social media post that prosecutors say threatened President Donald Trump's life.

Comey surrendered on two counts: threatening the life of the president and transmitting a threat across state lines. During the brief hearing, he did not speak. His attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, told reporters he will argue the case is retaliation aimed at punishing Comey for exercising his legal rights.

Dressed in a black suit, Comey entered and exited the courtroom through a defendants-only passage and declined to comment. The federal judge released him without imposing special conditions. The next hearing is expected in North Carolina, where a federal grand jury approved the indictment on Tuesday (April 28). Comey's family was present just before the hearing began.

Comey denies all charges and has vowed to fight them in court. The indictment marks a new effort by the Justice Department under President Trump to target political opponents perceived as presidential enemies with criminal prosecutions. Trump had previously called for prosecuting adversaries on social media.

'8647' Post at Center of Case

The case revolves around an Instagram post from last May in which Comey shared a photo of seashells arranged to read '8647.' Trump and his supporters argued the numbers serve as a coded call for violence against the president. The number 47 is widely understood to refer to Trump, who became the 47th president of the United States in January 2025.

Controversy centers on the meaning of '86.' In American slang, the term means to remove or discard something—often used in restaurants when a dish is no longer available. Some critics argue it can also imply violent removal, but that interpretation is disputed.

Comey has said he did not intend a threat. After criticism, he deleted the photo and wrote on Instagram that he 'did not realize some people associated those numbers with violence' and that he opposes violence 'in any form.'

Prosecutors argue, however, that a 'reasonable recipient' familiar with the context would view the image as 'a serious expression of an intent to harm' the president. According to the indictment, Comey faces two federal counts: threatening the president and transmitting a threatening message through interstate commerce. Each carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, fines, or both.