Comey Indicted for Threatening Trump

Former FBI Director James Comey appeared in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on April 29, 2026, one day after a federal grand jury in North Carolina indicted him on charges of threatening to kill President Donald Trump. The indictment stems from a May 2025 Instagram post by Comey showing seashells arranged to form '86 47' on a North Carolina beach.

Prosecutors allege the arrangement conveyed a serious intent to harm Trump, interpreting '86' as slang for removal or killing and '47' as a reference to Trump being the 47th president. Comey's lawyer, Patrick Fitzgerald, indicated plans to file a motion to dismiss the case on grounds of vindictive prosecution.

The court appearance lasted about seven minutes, and Comey was allowed to remain free without conditions. Multiple sources, including Reuters and the Associated Press, confirmed Comey's surrender to authorities and his denial of any violent intent behind the post.

Trump described '86' as a 'mob term' meaning 'kill him,' based on its use in movies and crime contexts. When asked if the post endangered his life, Trump replied 'probably,' adding that figures like Comey have created danger for politicians. Trump further characterized Comey as a 'dirty cop' who cheated on elections and tried to help Hillary Clinton in 2016.

These statements align with Trump's past criticisms of Comey, who was fired as FBI director in 2017 during Trump's first term.

“Well, if anybody knows anything about crime, they know '86, you know ... a mob term for 'kill him.' You know, you ever seen the movies. '86' the mobster says to one of his wonderful associates. I think of it as a mob term.”

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.”