Comey Indicted for Threatening Trump

Comey posted the photo in May 2025, stating he encountered the seashells during a vacation and viewed it as a political message. He removed the post less than a day later after backlash, explaining he did not associate the numbers with violence and opposes any form of it.

The term '86' has multiple meanings, including 'to throw out' or 'sold out' in restaurant contexts, according to Merriam-Webster, with debated origins tied to Prohibition-era practices. '8647' has been used by Trump protesters to call for his ouster.

FBI Director Kash Patel noted the investigation into the post lasted nine to 11 months, though the indictment provides sparse details beyond the photo itself. This marks the second indictment against Comey since Trump regained office in January 2025.

A prior case last year accused Comey of lying to Congress in 2020 about authorizing an anonymous source in reports on Hillary Clinton's emails. That case was dismissed after a judge ruled the prosecutor, a former Trump personal lawyer, was unlawfully appointed; the Department of Justice has appealed.

Separately, on April 29, 2026, the State Department announced a limited release of commemorative U.S. passports for America's 250th anniversary, featuring an image of President Donald Trump. This makes Trump the first living president to appear in such documents.

In international news, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on April 29, 2026, that his relationship with President Trump remains good despite Trump's criticism of Merz's stance on the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Merz expressed doubts about the war's rationale and its economic impact on Europe, including surges in oil prices due to blockades in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump had posted on Truth Social criticizing Merz for allegedly accepting Iran's nuclear ambitions and scolded European allies for not contributing more to mine-clearing efforts in the strait. Merz noted Germany has offered minesweepers to assist once fighting stops.

The conflict involves U.S. and Iranian blockades halting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with the U.S. military engaged in mine-clearing. Trump canceled a planned delegation trip to Islamabad for indirect talks, stating U.S. representatives would no longer make long flights for negotiations.

Trump warned Iran to 'get smart soon' and claimed an Iranian official indicated the country was in a 'state of collapse' and wanted the strait reopened, without specifying the source. Iran's latest proposal offers to loosen its blockade in exchange for the U.S. ending its naval presence, but delays nuclear discussions, which Trump rejects unless Iran agrees to no nuclear weapons.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche denied that Trump directed the Department of Justice to charge Comey, stating 'of course not' in an April 29 interview. Legal expert Claire Finkelstein suggested Comey would fight the charges on free speech grounds.

“At this moment, there will never be a deal unless they agree that there will be no nuclear weapons.”