DOJ Indicts Comey Over Alleged Threat in Social Media Post; US to Provide Escorts for Ships in Strait of Hormuz

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated on Sunday that the indictment against former FBI Director James Comey rests on more than an Instagram post featuring the numbers '8647' arranged in seashells on a beach. The post, made last year, prompted accusations from social media users that it constituted a threat against President Trump.

Comey deleted the image and issued an apology, saying he did not realize the number '86' was associated with violence.

Blanche made the remarks during an interview on Meet the Press, where he addressed criticisms that the case was politically motivated. He said new evidence would come to light in court to support the government's claim that Comey's post amounted to a criminal threat against President Trump.

The charges hinge on whether prosecutors can prove the former FBI director's intent, which Blanche said is established through witnesses, documents, and materials.

The Department of Justice will present broader evidence in court to support the charge, he added. The term '86' is slang to get rid of someone or something, rooted in restaurant usage for an unavailable item or refused customer. Prosecutors allege that '86' paired with '47' — a reference to Trump as the 47th president — amounted to a threat to harm or kill the president.

Blanche emphasized that the case is about a body of evidence collected by a grand jury over about 11 months, not driven by Trump's past clashes with Comey. The DOJ does not prosecute everyday mentions of '8647', such as paraphernalia featuring the numbers sold on Amazon, he noted.

Career assistant United States attorneys in North Carolina, career FBI agents, and career Secret Service agents investigated the case, according to Blanche.

The Department of Justice brought two charges against Comey in federal court in North Carolina last week. This marks the Justice Department's second recent prosecution of Comey, after a separate indictment alleging he lied to Congress was dismissed on procedural grounds. The DOJ is appealing that decision.

U.S. Secret Service would investigate the post. Comey voluntarily met with federal agents for an interview at the time, though no charges were brought immediately.

'. Blanche said the investigations were ongoing before Trump's September post. Comey's attorney said in court that he plans to ask the judge to toss out the charges because they were selective and vindictive.

The latest indictment has faced criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who argue it presents a free speech problem and does not meet the 'true threat' standard established by the Supreme Court. Comey's arraignment is slated for May 11 in Greenville. U.S.

Warships in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to Iranian state media. The American military sent cruisers into the Gulf as part of a plan to help trapped commercial vessels leave. President Trump announced a plan to guide ships from neutral countries out of the Gulf as a humanitarian effort to help their stranded crews.

U.S. will guide stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies reported. U.S. threats in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials said shipping companies know that ensuring their security requires coordination with Iranian authorities.

More than 80% of the oil and gas that passes through the Strait of Hormuz heads east, according to the Japan Times. This week marks National Hurricane Preparedness Week. President Trump issued a Presidential Message on National Hurricane Preparedness Week, encouraging Americans in high-risk coastal areas to take proactive steps to protect their families, homes, and neighborhoods before disaster strikes.

He said staying informed and preparing for emergencies can reduce damage, safeguard lives, and enable quicker recovery from storms as hurricane season approaches.